The tubular breast is a fairly common pathology, which is characterized by abnormal development of the mammary glands, a congenital violation of their structure. In most cases, such deformation is not dangerous. Nevertheless, pathology becomes the cause of complexes and mental disorders, because a woman is perceived as a serious physical disability.
Of course, girls are interested in additional information. What is a pathology and why is it developing? How to live with tubular breasts? Are there any correction methods? Is complication possible? Answers to these questions are important for many women.
What is a pathology?
To begin with, it’s worthwhile to deal with general information. This pathology is a congenital abnormal development of the mammary glands. For one reason or another, a very dense connective tissue framework is formed in the tissues of the breast.
Glandular and fatty tissues during sexual development increase in size much faster than the "supporting" connective tissue elements, as a result of which the breast takes the form of a tube. The dense frame of the connecting elements does not allow the tissue to grow in width. Such breasts grow only towards the nipple.
It is worth noting that this is a fairly common problem. Tubular breasts in one form or another, the degree of development is recorded in about 20 women out of a thousand. Of course, these statistics are not very accurate, since not all girls seek help, they inform the doctor about the presence of deformation of the mammary glands.
Tubular breast: causes
Unfortunately, the exact causes and development mechanisms of this pathology are still not fully understood. There are several hypotheses that explain the origin of such a birth defect.
- Genetic heredity. In medical practice, there are many recorded cases of hereditary development of the tubular breast. It is believed that the pathology is transmitted along the female line, although to date there is no data on the exact mechanism of gene transfer, nor on the most key genes.
- The influence of teratogenic factors. Some scientists believe that this anomaly is congenital, but not hereditary. A change in the structure of the breast is associated with the effect of biological or chemical substances on the fetus during fetal development.
- Acquired forms of pathology. There is an opinion that at least some cases of the development of this pathology are in no way connected either with genetics or with the effect of potentially dangerous substances on the child's body. It is believed that sometimes a change in the normal structure of the breast is associated with a violation of the blood supply to the mammary gland. This, in turn, can be associated with vascular injuries, various diseases, the use of inappropriate underwear, etc.
To date, none of the above hypotheses has sufficient evidence. Some scientists believe that risk factors act in conjunction.
It is worth noting that the formation of mammary glands is completely completed by about 17-20 years. Tubular breast after childbirth, lactation practically does not change. Intensive physical activity and other factors do not affect the shape of the mammary gland.
Types of breasts with a similar structure
Tubular breasts are a common problem. But it is worth noting that there are different types of breast defects.
- Parenchymal type. This pathology is due to a lack of tissue in the lower inner part of the mammary gland. The breast shape in this case resembles a cone-shaped tube.
- Mushroom type. There is a lack of tissue over the entire area of the mammary gland. The chest in this case is elongated, has virtually no tissue at the base and grows in the area of the areola, as a result of which it resembles a mushroom cap.
- Fascial type. Tissue deficiency can be observed throughout the lower chest area. In this case, the volume of the mammary gland increases in the lateral and axillary regions.
Tubular breast: degree of development
To date, there are three degrees of development of this pathology.
- In women with a first degree of severity, this pathology is not very pronounced - the shape of the breast is close to normal. On top of the mammary gland has a familiar convex shape. But tissue deficiency in the lower part still takes place, so the nipple "looks" down. Moreover, the area of the areola looks quite normal.
- They speak of the second degree if there is a deficiency of tissues not only in the lower, but also in the lateral region of the chest. The mammary gland in this case is strongly lowered down, has a tubular shape. Areola nipple significantly increased.
- The third degree of development is accompanied by very characteristic deformations. Gland tissues are compressed by a dense skeleton. The chest is small and resembles a cone in shape. The areola is large and the nipple is flat.
What symptoms should I look for?
It is worth noting that the diagnosis of "tubular breast" can be made only after the end of puberty. The girl’s mammary gland has an irregular, unnatural shape. As a rule, it is stretched forward and resembles a pipe. The areola, as a rule, takes on large sizes, but the nipples, on the contrary, can be underdeveloped and pulled inward.
The pathological process can cover both one and both mammary glands. There are known cases of asymmetry in which one breast of a woman has a normal shape, and the second is tubular of varying severity. Girls, as a rule, do not feel any physical discomfort.
Is pathology dangerous? Possible complications
In most cases, such a congenital anomaly is not dangerous. Only in some patients, the areola expands so much that a condition called "areolar hernia" develops.
The large areola, the retracted nipple, and the abnormal internal structure of the mammary gland can sometimes become an obstacle to breastfeeding. For example, a lack of glandular tissue can lead to the formation of an insufficient amount of milk or even its absence. In addition, a violation of the structure of the areola sometimes prevents the child from correctly capturing the nipple, as a result of which the baby cannot eat on its own - it will have to be expressed.
Some experts believe that such a breast shape increases the likelihood of developing mastopathy, although to date the exact numbers are not known.
Many patients suffer from emotional discomfort and complexes about the shape of their breasts. Often this leads to isolation, the abandonment of sexual activity, the development of various neuroses, psychoses, and sometimes depressive states.
Diagnostic measures
In fact, diagnosis is rarely fraught with complexity. Already during the general examination and palpation, the doctor can not only diagnose the "tubular breast", but also determine the type and degree of development of the pathology.
Nevertheless, sometimes additional studies are carried out. Ultrasound of the breast is indicated for suspected mastopathy, since this disease is also accompanied by breast deformity.
When is surgery necessary?
What should a patient diagnosed with tubular breast do? The operation in this case is the only effective correction method. Exercise, creams, and other products for breast skin care and elasticity, alas, do not give any results.
Surgical intervention is recommended for patients with a “hernia” in the areola, but only if such a displacement of the tissues is associated with impaired blood circulation or the inability to breastfeed.
In other cases, the operation is performed at the request of the patient. The woman herself must decide whether she needs a correction of the tubular breast.
Breast Surgery: Techniques
It is immediately worth noting that the correction of the tubular breast, or rather the technique chosen by the doctor, is directly related to the type of deformation and its severity. Often, surgical treatment includes several operations at once, each of which is aimed at eliminating a particular defect.
- In almost every case, endoprosthetics are required to correct the shape of the breast. The essence of the technique is simple - the installation of a special implant that will give the gland the desired shape. In this case, prostheses are selected, and sometimes made individually (for example, if asymmetry occurs). Implants are inserted periareolarly. This procedure can be started in case of deformation of the first degree.
- If we are talking about tubularity of the second and third degree, then the chest must be prepared for endoprosthetics. For this purpose, a special expander is installed inside. An implant filled with an isotonic solution is placed in the breast tissue. Every two weeks, the volume of fluid inside is gradually increased. This makes it possible to slowly and without injury stretch the skin and connective tissue frame. In this way, a place is formed for the further establishment of a permanent prosthesis. As a rule, such manipulations take about 2-3 months.
- Doctors also surgically reduce the areola and nipple. If the first type of tubularity occurs (to a mild degree), then this operation is carried out in isolation - it is enough to improve the external shape of the breast. If we are talking about more pronounced forms of pathology, then a decrease in the nipple and areola are included in the general correction scheme. The excess tissue of the areola is excised, leaving a small circle (its diameter is not more than four centimeters), which is then sewn to the skin of the chest.
- Sometimes, lipolifting is recommended as an alternative to patients. The essence of the procedure is simple - the doctor collects fatty tissue from other parts of the body. They are introduced into the chest area, the specialist gives the breast volume. The technique has advantages. For example, this is not a full-blown operation that does not require a long recovery. In addition, the cost of such manipulation is much lower. There is no risk of rejection and allergic reactions, as the patient is injected with her own tissues. On the other hand, the fats placed in the breast can dissolve, so the effect of the procedure is temporary.
Mammoplasty with tubular breasts really gives good results. Of course, there are important factors that can not be ignored - proper preparation and care of the breast after surgery ensure success and reduce the likelihood of complications.
How to prepare for the procedure?
Many women experience a problem like tubular breasts. Correction of the shape of the mammary glands is carried out through surgical intervention. And as you know, any operation requires preparation.
The patient is obliged to go through all the studies and take tests in order to determine the presence or absence of contraindications. A consultation with a psychologist is also recommended. At least a month before the procedure, women are advised to adjust the diet, completely abandon the use of alcohol, quit smoking. Bad habits can affect the recovery of the mammary gland (and indeed the entire body) after surgery.
Rehabilitation period and proper care
Proper postoperative care is extremely important, since the success of the procedure depends on it in many ways.
After the operation, the woman is in the hospital for several days, passes the necessary tests, undergoes examinations. If there are no complications, then the patient may return home.
It is worth noting that during the first few weeks, women feel pain, which is associated with a gradual stretching of tissues and wound healing. Edema begins to subside after the first month, and the final result of the procedure can be observed six months later - until this time, there may be some asymmetry.
At first, the patient must wear special compression underwear, which will ensure the formation of a beautiful breast shape. Also during the first month it is important to avoid physical exertion whenever possible. Gyms and sports are contraindicated. During the first six months, visits to saunas, baths and tanning salons are contraindicated. Patients are also not recommended to sunbathe in direct sunlight. Overheating of the body is fraught with the development of dangerous complications.
Contraindications for surgical intervention
Like any surgery, breast plastic surgery has a number of contraindications, a list of which must be read.
- The procedure is contraindicated for women during breastfeeding. Moreover, doctors recommend waiting at least a year after the cessation of lactation. It is important to allow the tissues to stabilize, and the size of the gland itself to return to normal.
- Contraindications include some diseases of the cardiovascular system, since they make anesthesia impossible.
- The operation is not performed if inflammatory skin diseases occur - the patient needs to undergo a full course of treatment. If we are talking about chronic diseases, it is important to wait for their remission.
- Diabetes mellitus is also a contraindication, because due to metabolic disorders the healing process is difficult.
- Surgical intervention is not prescribed for patients suffering from bleeding disorders.
- Infectious diseases are also included in the list of contraindications - they must first be completely cured.
That is why preoperative diagnosis is so important. If there are restrictions, the procedure may not give the desired result or lead to the development of dangerous complications (there is a risk of death).
Possible complications after surgery
According to statistics, most often surgical correction and rehabilitation for patients ends successfully. The shape of the breast is really improving, which can not but rejoice the woman. However, there is a risk of complications.
- First of all, it’s worth talking about the risks associated with any surgical intervention. Infections, inflammatory processes, the formation of massive hematomas - all this is possible. True, in most cases, the appearance of such side effects is associated either with the poor quality work of the surgeon, or with a violation of the rules of rehabilitation by the patient herself.
- Sometimes massive scars and not too beautiful keloid scars form on the skin. This is due to the individual characteristics of the patient’s body, and it is difficult to predict the possibility of their appearance.
- It is worth noting that in the first few months after surgery, the degree of breast sensitivity is significantly reduced. Occasionally, loss of sensitivity becomes permanent.
It should be understood that in this case the success of the procedure directly depends on the quality of the materials used, the qualifications and experience of the doctor. That is why it is worthwhile to take the utmost responsibility towards the choice of clinic and surgeon.
Tubular breasts are an unpleasant pathology that can reduce self-esteem and ruin the intimate life of every woman.