Reduction mammaplasty in the surgical management of a giant breast hamartoma: case report.

INTRODUCTION Hamartomas of the breast can achieve unusually large proportions, causing gross distortion of the breast. Conclusive preoperative diagnosis can be difficult. We present such a case and describe the application of reduction mammaplasty techniques in the removal of such a tumour. CLINICAL PICTURE A 39-year-old woman presented with gross enlargement of the right breast, which had developed over the course of many years. Clinically, there was no discrete mass within the breast and no palpable lymphadenopathy. TREATMENT She underwent unilateral reduction mammaplasty. Intraoperative findings were that of a giant hamartoma. The tumour was removed and the breast reconstructed using an inferior pedicled reduction mammaplasty. OUTCOME The resultant right breast was of a good match to the contralateral normal breast, both in size and shape. CONCLUSION Reduction mammaplasty is a useful technique for the surgical management of giant breast hamartomas, as it not only addresses the issue of tumour removal but also the aesthetic reconstruction of the breast.