Postpartum accessory breasts are a major concern for many women. Numerous new mothers experience painful accessory breast growths after childbirth, a condition known as postpartum accessory breast syndrome. So how does this occur?Experts note that many new mothers discover painful lumps under their arms after delivery. These lumps, typically egg-sized, were absent before childbirth and appear alongside breast engorgement postpartum. They are not normal breast tissue but rather underdeveloped breast tissue, termed postpartum accessory breasts.
Normally, these glands produce no milk and cause no sensation. However, postpartum breast tissue becomes active, secreting large amounts of milk. Occasionally, milk stasis forms hard lumps, causing a distending pain that alerts the mother to the presence of a lump in her armpit. Applying a warm compress locally can help relieve the discomfort when the pain is severe.
The following surgical approaches address postpartum accessory breast tissue:
1. Procedures are typically performed under continuous epidural or intravenous anesthesia, with only a minority conducted under local anesthesia. Local anesthesia hinders electrosurgical dissection of skin flaps and complicates differentiation between adipose and accessory mammary tissue.
2. Incision selection prioritizes aesthetics and concealment. For axillary accessory breasts, an oblique elliptical incision along the pectoralis major muscle margin is recommended. This ensures the scar remains invisible under tank tops post-surgery and minimizes tension during arm movement, promoting healing and mobility.Make an oblique elliptical incision along the lateral border of the pectoralis major muscle or over the axillary mass. After complete excision, place a rubber drainage tube and apply negative pressure suction to the wound. Remove the tube after 72 hours.
3. Accessory breasts lack a capsule. During surgery, dissect the skin flap to the edge of the mass and ensure sufficient excision to guarantee therapeutic efficacy.Resect the accessory breast tissue en bloc to prevent recurrence. For anterosternal accessory breasts, resection should extend to the outer edge of the pectoralis major fascia, with the base reaching the deep subcutaneous fascia. For axillary accessory breasts, resection should extend anteriorly to near the pectoralis major muscle and posteriorly to near the posterior axillary border, with the base also reaching the deep subcutaneous fascia.
4. For treating accessory breast cancer, surgical resection should extend at least 5 cm beyond the tumor margin during postpartum accessory breast surgery. Concurrently remove the associated muscle tissue and perform axillary lymph node dissection on the same side. Other treatments follow standard breast cancer protocols.
5. Postpartum accessory breast surgery employs rubber drainage tubes and negative pressure suction at the wound site to promote skin flap adhesion and growth. Drainage tubes are removed after 72 hours based on drainage volume. Premature removal may cause subcutaneous fluid or blood accumulation.