I am getting a breast lift and augmentation. What is a pedicle? (Photo)

Question

I am getting a breast lift and augmentation. I have very small breasts post wls. I know my surgeon intends to reshape the breast tissue I have, rather than using a skin-only approach to the lift. I started looking into the different pedicle approaches (I think this applies to lifts as well as reductions?), but am confused by what a pedicle even is! So... 1. What is a pedicle? 2. What is the difference between inferior, superior, medial, etc? 3. Which, in your opinion, is best for my case?

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the good question.   One of our concerns, as plastic surgeons, is keeping tissue alive while adjusting or moving tissue (in order to achieve a certain outcome).  During breast lifting and breast reduction surgery, the nipple/areola complexes are moved upwards.  It is important to maintain the blood supply to the nipple/areola complexes as well as surrounding tissues. The "pedicle" is the segment of tissue is responsible for delivering the blood supply to the nipple/areola tissue. If the pedicle is made too small then a patient will likely have problems with tissue survival.  In my practice, the "pedicle" is designed on an individualized basis, mainly depending on the patient's anatomic starting point. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Erik Miles, MD, FACS · Answer

The pedicle is the part of the breast tissue that remains attached to the nipple as it is moved up. This is important so that a blood supply and innervation is maintained.  A superior pedicle means that the upper breast tissue remains attached, a medial pedicle means it is coming from the central chest, inferior means from the bottom, and lateral (rarely used) means it’s coming from the side of the breast. A superior pedicle is used most often with a breast lift unless the breasts are extremely saggy.  The decision about which pedicle to use will be made by your surgeon, depending on which technique he or she thinks will give you the best outcome. Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

A pedicle is a mound of tissue that provides the blood supply in this instance to the nipple areola complex.  The naming of the pedicle refers to the direction the blood supply is coming from.

I am getting a breast lift and augmentation. What is a pedicle? (Photo)

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I am getting a breast lift and augmentation. What is a pedicle? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Breast Lift with Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.