Park Plaza Plastic Surgery - George Lefkovits M.D.

Transaxillary breast augmentation is a breast augmentation technique that uses an endoscope to place breast implants without make an incision on the breast. Instead, the incision is made in the armpit. The endoscope is used to make the pocket for the breast implant then move the implant into place. Only saline implants can be used during this procedure because they come deflated from the manufacturer and can be rolled to fit through the endoscopic track. Once the implant is placed in the pocket, it is inflated.

The primary benefit of the transaxillary technique for breast augmentation is that there will be no scar on the breast, but it does have a number of drawbacks. It is difficult to create symmetrical pockets using the transaxillary technique. Women who undergo transaxillary breast augmentation have a higher reoperation rate for asymmetric breast implant placement, and since reoperation is difficult with an endoscope, an inframammary or periareolar incision may have to be used anyway.

In addition, as with other endoscopic surgeries, complications can be more difficult to deal with. In particular, it can be difficult to control excessive bleeding during endoscopic surgery in the unlikely event that it occurs.

The biggest drawback to transaxillary breast augmentation is that if you experience hypertrophic scarring, it is highly visible. Although scars from breast augmentation usually heal well, the risk of having a pronounced red scar in the armpit must give one pause.

To learn more about breast augmentation options, please contact Dr. Lefkovits at Park Plaza Plastic Surgery today to set up a consultation.