What is This Line Beneath my Breast Augmentation Incision?

Question

I am about 3 weeks post op and everything is healing nicely. however, when i stand with correct posture or raise my arms above my head a line appears below my incision. it is very prominent on my left and there are actually 2 on my right but they arent really bothering me. the one on the left causes a painful streching feeling when raising my arms. after looking at the photos... i feel like its something with the stitching, how do i make it go away?

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

This tender cord or band (that feels like a sore tendon) is immediately below your incision, which cut through one of several superficial veins in this area. See Dr. Aldea's answer also. The vessel or vessels are divided by your incision, coagulated at the time of surgery, and remain clotted and tender to stretch or touch for several weeks until your body can dissolve the old blood, replace the non-flowing vessels with scar tissue, and adequately soften and mature the scar inside the vessels as well as in the incision.

This is treated by verbal (or e-written) reassurance, education that this is not of any concern whatsoever to your health or your result, and since you are now 3 weeks or more from surgery, oral ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, etc). These will help with the inflammation that makes this area tender as well as provide some pain relief! I don't generally recommend a heating pad or hot compress because some areas of the breast are numb and you can cause blisters without your normal "Too hot!" sensory capability.

Mondor's phlebitis takes a while to completely go away, so don't be concerned. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Andrew L. Greensmith, MBChB, FRACS · Answer

This line is usually a cord of thickened scar tissue seen sometimes in the early phase post BA. it may be painful and tender initially. Mondor's disease is similar and involves inflammation of small veins here. Apply topical crew like Hirudoid ( used for haemorrhoids ) and it may help

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

The band that’s noted in your post-operative picture is occasionally
seen following breast augmentation surgery.This band is known as a Mondors band and occurs when veins are divided
along the inframammary fold.Clot forms
within these veins which eventually forms scar tissue.This is
usually a transient phenomena which typically responds to massage.When this lesion is associated with pain,
both warm compresses and Aleve are helpful as well.If
you’re concerned about this type of scar band, it’s appropriate to consult your
plastic surgeon.Your surgeon should be
able to answer your questions and reassure you.

Nick Slenkovich, MD · Answer

An anchoring stitch from the breast to the chest wall

	When I use an inframammary incision, I place firm anchoring sutures to "set" the bottom of the implant pocket. These sutures can cause a pull in the early post-op period that can cause a vertical line under the breast when raising the arm that looks similar to the picture you've shown. Massage will help loosen these tissues and the strong sutures I use weaken and dissolve over time as the body heals and forms a pocket around the implant.

	Clotted Superficial Vein (medically referred to as a Mondor's Cord)

	A Mondor's Cord is a clotted superficial vein after breast augmentation that classically presents with mild pain and a slight blue tinge and a vertical ridge when raising the arm like in the picture you submitted. Treatment is non-surgical with warm compresses and massage and should resolve without problems.

	Hope this helps,

	Nick Slenkovich, MD FACS

William Aiello, MD · Answer

Hi Srebmann, It looks like a mondor's cord. It can take a while to completely go away, but it will so don't be too concerned. But make sure your surgeon is aware of it and you are following their instructions for post care.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  Your photographs demonstrate Mondor's veins ( inflamed veins). Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to making accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations.   The use of anti-inflammatories and warm compresses may be helpful to expedite resolution (check with your plastic surgeon).  Resolution of this inflammatory process may take several weeks/months.Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

From the photos it looks like  Mondor's cord which is a superficial thrombophlebitis which resolves on its own usually.

George John Alexander, MD, FACS · Answer

It appears to be a &ldquo;Mondor&rsquo;s cord&rdquo; which is not uncommon to see after breast augmentation surgery.  This typically resolves on its own and should not need treatment.  Make sure to show this to your plastic surgeon on your next visit.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

The line you are seeing is actually a blocked superficial vein. This condition is known by several names invoking Mondor's name (who described it in 1939). Inflammation causes a blockage of one of three veins draining the breast (superior epigastric, lateral thoracic  or thoracoepigastric vein). The condition improves by itself in the great majority of people with local heat and the use of over the counter antiinflammatory agents (such as Advil etc). Do show it to your Plastic surgeon to make sure that he/she agrees.

	Peter A Aldea, MD
	Memphis, Tennessee

Todd B. Koch, MD · Answer

The vertical band from the inframammary fold downward onto the chest wall is a superficial thrombophlebitis or inflammation of the vein referred to as Mondor's Disease. Mondor's disease is self limiting and generally benign inflammation which resolves on its own. If symptomatic it can be treated with warm compresses and pain relievers, most commonly NSAIDS such as ibuprofen. This is fairly common after breast augmentation. Nothing to worry about it usually resolves within a couple of weeks.

What is This Line Beneath my Breast Augmentation Incision?

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