A circumareolar approach in surgical management of gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a common deformity encountered among male patients. Surgery is primarily aimed at reducing the size of the breast mound and therefore should be considered aesthetic in nature. In an attempt to minimize the problems of hematoma formation, nipple necrosis, and unsightly scarring around the upper torso after the surgery, we have had the opportunity to utilize a circumareolar approach for breast tissue removal in 33 breasts (24 patients). This method, when compared with other techniques, has the advantage of leaving minimal scarring around the areolar margin while obliterating the dead space by imbricating the tissue stalk to minimize hematoma formation.