The Gore-Tex Suture in Periareolar Closure: A Modified Closure Technique

In breast reduction and mastopexy procedures, the periareolar closure forms a vital component of the surgery. Periareolar closures completed with an absorbable suture may be prone to significant widening, hypertrophy and/or areolar distortion. In an effort to avoid this, some surgeons use a non-absorbable/permanent suture material [Franco (Arch Plast Surg 41 (6): 728–733, 2014)]. Hammond (Plast Reconstr Surg 119 (3):804–809, 2007) recommends the use of a Gore-Tex® suture for this purpose in view of the supple, pliable nature of the material; however, there remain at least occasional instances of infection and extrusion of the knot used to tie off the Gore-Tex “purse-string” [Franco (Arch Plast Surg 41 (6): 728–733, 2014); Salgarello (Aesthet Plast Surg 37 (5):1061–1062, 2013)]. We describe a method of securing the suture ends, which avoids the creation of a bulky knot, thus minimising the risk of infection and suture extrusion.

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