Photometric analysis of absorbable barbed suture for periareolar closure in mastopexy

Aim: The primary author previously described his technique for periareolar closure in mastopexy using a pinwheel interlocking purse string with absorbable barbed suture and now reports the results of a retrospective photometric analysis comparing this technique with the same closure using Gortex® suture. This study is designed to compare the degree of areolar widening and safety profile of using absorbable barbed sutures for periareolar closure versus permanent smooth suture. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients whose periareolar closures were performed using an interlocking purse-string technique over a 10-year period. Only patients undergoing circumvertical mastopexy were included. All had photometric evaluation and follow-up performed within 6-24 months. Results: In total, 20 patients (40 areolas), which were closed with absorbable barbed suture, were analyzed photometrically. In this suture group, areola size increased a mean of 4.9% from baseline, and no complications (0%) were observed. This compared favorably with previously reported complication rates using permanent sutures and with a series of cases presented herein in which permanent smooth suture was used for purse string closure. The degree to which absorbable barbed suture controls areolar spread was shown to be significantly better than those where permanent smooth purse string techniques were employed. Conclusion: Circumvertical mastopexy closures using absorbable barbed suture was shown to be safe and effective and compared favorably to older techniques using permanent smooth suture for similar closures. This paper lends support to the safety of using absorbable barbed suture in circumareolar closures to limit areolar spread. ABSTRACT