[Breast surgery] Introduction

Breast surgeons specialise in diseases of the breasts, including the skin, nipples, areolae, and mammary glands.

There is significant overlap with plastic surgery and oncology.

Etymology 

From Proto-Germanic

• breustam = breast

 

Subspecialties 

• Breast surgical oncology
• Oncoplastic breast surgery 

History taking

Physical examination

Procedures:

• Breast reduction (and lift) 
• Breast augmentation (enlargement) 
• Breast biopsy
• Central duct excision
• Breast-conserving surgery 
• Preventive mastectomy 
• Lobectomy
• Mastectomy 
• Mastopexy (breast lift)
• Breast reconstruction 
• Implant reconstruction
• DIEP flap

 

Problems:

• Obesity
• Back pain secondary to large breasts
• Breast trauma
• Burns

 

Breast diseases

 

Diseases:

• Breast cancer
• Mastitis
• Breast abscess
• Intraductal papilloma 
• Duct ectasia 
• Gynaecomastia
• Congenital defects
• Accessory breast
• Tuberous breasts