DR FAIZAL ALI       

PLASTIC, RECONSTRUCTIVE AND COSMETIC SURGEON

Surgical treatment of gynaecomastia depends on whether the patient has true gynaecomastia or lipomastia. Lipomastia can be treated effectively by using liposuction. The access fat is removed through 0ne or two small puncture wounds in the areolar and around the breast. The procedure can be done as a daycare and recovery is within two to three days. True gynaecomastia tissue is removed surgically through an incision within the areolar. This will healed nicely leaving a very well hidden scar. This can also be done as a daycase. In some patients a combination of liposuction and surgical excision is required as theirs is a combination of gynaecomastia and lipomastia.

Gynaecomastia can also be due to some medications and medical conditions such as liver and renal disease, hyperthyroidism and testicular tumour. The majority of men presenting with gynaecomastia will have idiopathic gynaecomastia (approximately 25%); persistent gynaecomastia because of puberty (approximately 25%) or gynaecomastia secondary to drugs (approximately 20%). Testicular tumours are seen in about 3% of men seeking consultation for gynaecomastia.

Gynaecomastia

Gynaecomastia or informally known as "man boobs" is an abnormal enlargement of the breast tissue in males. It is quite a common occurrence being present in about 30% of healthy men. It is usually more common during infancy, adolescent and in adulthood. It is caused by an increase in the ratio of oestrogen (female) to androgen (male) hormone activity. This is a normal occurrence especially during infancy and pubertal. Gynaecomastia is different from lipomastia which is the accumulation of fat around the breast area. Lipomastia or pseudogynaecomastia occurs in overweight and obese individuals. Patient presents with either unilateral or bilateral breast enlargement, tenderness in the breast and asymmetry of the chest wall.

In the vast majority of cases, gynecomastia is not a serious problem. However, it may be psychologically difficult to cope with the embarrassment that gynaecomastia causes and patients might have problems with self-confidence.