What Are the Different Types of Breast Incisions?

One of the many decisions to be made before breast augmentation surgery is the type of incision to use. The most popular breast incisions tend to be the inframammary type, which involve cutting along the crease of the breast, and the periareolar kind, in which the incision is made within the areola. Another possibility is the transaxillary incision, in which the implants are inserted through the armpits, while the transumbilical breast augmentation technique requires the doctor to insert the implants through the navel. There are pros and cons to all of these surgical incisions, so patients typically are advised to discuss their desires with their doctor.

Among the most popular breast incisions is the inframammary type, which requires the doctor to cut along the crease of the breast. The result is that the incision is difficult to see, because it sits within the natural folds of the breast. Aside from its near invisibility, many doctors use this type of breast incision because it is considered easy enough for nearly any surgeon to perform, and it often is the easiest way to insert large implants. In some cases, though, the incision can darken after surgery, making the scar more visible than is typical.

Another common breast incision is the periareolar type. This is placed within the areola, which is the darker skin around the nipple. The scar tends to blend in with the darker skin quite easily, so it usually is barely noticeable. It may not work for every patient, though, including those with small areolae.

Those who are not considered candidates for the most popular breast incisions have other choices, including the transaxillary type. When a patient opts for this kind of incision, the cut is made in the armpit area, because this is another way of making it hard for others to see the scar. The most common issue that occurs with transaxillary breast incisions is that the implants may be placed slightly high on the chest, because it may be hard for the surgeon to reach the bottom of the breasts.

Perhaps the least common technique is transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA), in which the implants are placed through an incision in the belly button area and then pushed up to the chest. The main appealing factor of this incision is that there is no scarring near the breasts. Such breast incisions, however, usually require both a skilled surgeon and an endoscope, a tiny camera that allows the doctor to watch video of the interior of the body while performing surgery. This may increase accuracy when placing the breast implants into the chest correctly, and patients whose doctors can properly complete this technique often enjoy a shorter recovery period than normal for breast augmentation.