Abu Dhabi: The Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s, part of the M42 network, experts have developed a novel reconstructive technique to creatively improve the surgical results of gynecomastia, a major male issue worldwide.
Gynecomastia is the enlargement of breast tissue in males. The novel procedure developed by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi improves body contouring and surgical outcomes for patients who have opted for surgical removal of the enlarged breast tissue, thereby supporting patient well-being.
To treat gynecomastia, patients undergo surgery, during which physicians remove excess breast tissue and skin, perform liposuction, and reposition the nipple-areola complex to a more natural position.
The removal of the tissue, however, often causes a concave dip in the chest, known as a ‘dished-out appearance’, and can hamper the patient’s self-image and overall post-surgical outcomes.
The innovative technique conceptualized and performed by Dr. Iskanderian involves the utilization of the thickened and anomalous inframammary fold that forms under enlarged breasts to augment the pectoralis muscle, the largest muscle in the chest wall, thereby preventing the undesirable dished-out appearance after this radical surgery.
Dr. Rafal Iskanderian, Staff Physician in the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, explained the importance of the innovation “Traditionally, the anomalous inframammary fold is carefully resected and disposed, but this can create an abnormal torso image. Our novel technique seeks to avoid the undesired appearance that may result from gynecomastia corrective surgery, and can significantly enable young men opting for the procedure to become confident in their own skin. We have carried out the procedure on 30 patients, and the results are extremely promising and well-received.”
Gynecomastia, which is caused by hormonal imbalances, steroid or medication use, obesity, or organ malfunction, is believed to affect up to half of all healthy men around the world. If the condition does not resolve itself within six months, or disrupts an individual’s self-confidence, surgical intervention is the prescribed course of action.