Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is the pathological enlargement of one or both mammary glands in man. It is the most common breast disease in males.
This disorder is usually associated with hyperprolactinemia (excess prolactin in the blood that is also synthesized in men).
It can also be caused by hyperestrogenism derived from a liver disease such as cirrhosis, since the liver is not able to metabolize estrogens. Men undergoing estrogen treatment can develop accumulations of fat in the form of the breast, which is known as pseudogynecomastia, although it is common to develop true breasts.
Obese males also often develop pseudogynecomastia, usually at puberty from 11 or 14 years old to 20 or 21.
Treatment
Once the secondary diseases that may cause it have been ruled out, it can be resolved with plastic surgery or sometimes with simple liposuction.
In pubertal gynecomastia, it is advisable to wait and if it does not resolve spontaneously, it is surgically removed. It is usually performed using an endoscopic surgical technique that allows the breast to be carefully explored and the necessary tissue removed at the same time. The results are usually satisfactory.
Liposuction can also be performed if the amount of fatty tissue is important. In pseudogynecomastias, since the increase is due to the accumulation of fat, liposuction is very useful to reduce the volume.
Surgical intervention
The intervention is performed through an incision in the areola following the natural curve in the shape of a circle from where the surgeon extracts the mammary gland, which is the one that causes excess breast volume. In some cases, extraction is not necessary and with liposuction the excess fat is suctioned through a cannula. The most common treatment is a combination of the two.
The intervention has an average time of between one and two hours per breast. Hospitalization depends on the severity of the operation and is often necessary, and anesthesia is usually general, since the procedure is similar to the removal of the breasts in women.
Want more information on Gynecomastia before the procedure?
Contact Dr. Enrique Hanabergh Jr at:
(305) 501-2451 or