Synmastia, commonly also spelled as symmastia, is an abnormal breast condition created by a rare, but potentially serious breast implant complication. This condition is characterized by the migration of the breast implants towards the middle of the chest, creating one solid mass of breast tissue, lacking a distinct separation or cleavage. Other less scientific names for this specific type of implant migration include breadloafing or uniboob.
This essay examines the causes and treatment of central breast implant migration.
Synmastia is a Breast Implant Complication
This implant migration condition can affect women immediately after augmentation surgery or at any time in the future. Most cases present themselves within 4 months after breast enlargement surgery.
The condition can occur in submuscular, subglandular, subfascial or subpectoral placements.
There are varying degrees of symmastia, ranging from overly enhanced and pushed together cleavage to the complete joining of the breasts into one solid structure.
Underlying Causes of Implant Migration
Breast implant migration can be caused by any number of factors working as a sole causation or in combination with each other. These causative criteria include:
Over-dissection of the implant pocket, close to the center line of the chest, is the primary source of migration. This is an iatrogenic surgical error and is the sign of a poor or inexperienced plastic surgeon.
When the implant size or width is too large for the patient’s anatomy, migration has an increased chance of taking place.
Implant migration is more common in women who have undergone more than one augmentation procedure.
Anatomical tissue structure can play a role in encouraging implant migration.
Generally, implant migration is usually due to direct surgical error or poor planning on the part of the operating cosmetic surgeon.
Treatment for Synmastia
Breast implant migration is a very difficult condition to repair. There are a variety of treatments which are used to reverse the chest deformity.
External suturing through the skin is a poorly designed treatment, which often leaves considerable visible scarring and rarely corrects the condition permanently.
A far better choice is implant revision surgery, in which the pockets will be reinforced from the inside. Scar tissue will be rolled into the inner aspect of each implant pocket, strengthening it and allowing the placement of permanent internal sutures to hold the skin and tissue to the breast bone. Once the pockets are fixed, the implants can be reinserted without recurrence.
Additionally, a T-front or “thong” bra is often prescribed to help maintain the space between breasts during the healing process.
Synmastia Can Be Fixed
This is a very disturbing condition for any affected patient. Severe cases really distort the body and create a visually frightening appearance. Add to this fact the difficulty of correction and you have a real problem on your hands.
Learning which procedures work well for implant migration correction is half the battle. Avoiding poorly planned or ineffective treatment strategies will save you considerable time, suffering and money, as you look for a permanent cure for your symmastia problem.
Make sure to hire a knowledgeable and experienced corrective surgeon who can ensure good results from any reparative procedure.
If you have patience and follow an indicated surgical correction regimen, you can finally achieve the beautiful breasts you desired from the beginning of your augmentation experience.
