Satisfaction and results of the subareolar incision as treatment for gynecomastia in adolescents: experience of two centers

Andrea Zangari; Carmine Noviello; Camilla Todesco; Mercedes Romano; Letizia Trotta; Carmine Botta; Ilaria Cascone; Salvatore Scommegna; Gabriele Vasta; Vito Briganti; Alfonso Papparella

doi:10.4081/pmc.2024.336

Authors

Andrea Zangari Operative Unit of Pediatric Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Roma, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8711-3072
Carmine Noviello
carmine.noviello@unicampania.it
Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9740-2505
Camilla Todesco Operative Unit of Pediatric Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Roma, Italy. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8942-3483
Mercedes Romano Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7496-7623
Letizia Trotta Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3830-1687
Carmine Botta Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3810-4986
Ilaria Cascone Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4001-6026
Salvatore Scommegna Operative Unit of Pediatric Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Roma, Italy. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5776-8881
Gabriele Vasta Operative Unit of Pediatric Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Roma, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7613-3761
Vito Briganti Operative Unit of Pediatric Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Roma, Italy.
Alfonso Papparella Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy.

Gynecomastia is a benign glandular proliferation that can affect adolescents causing significant psychological discomfort. Generally, it is idiopathic but underlying endocrinological conditions must be excluded. Different surgical techniques are available, the surgical correction with subareolar incision achieves the goal of satisfactory aesthetic result for patients. We studied all patients treated for gynecomastia in two centers of pediatric surgery. After collection of a detailed family history, we evaluated the presence of early onset of puberty, congenital abnormalities of the external genitalia, use of drugs, eating habits and the presence of genetic disorders. Laboratory tests and ultrasound were made to exclude endocrinological disorders. The surgical treatment was performed by a subareolar incision with gland and adipose tissue excision. A Body - Q chest module to evaluate patient satisfaction has been proposed to everyone before and after surgery. 47 adolescents with median age of 15 years were surgically treated. Three presented endocrinological disorders. Grade of gynecomastia for surgery was: III in 40 patients and IIb in 7 patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients. The Body - Q chest module was completed by 42 patients and showed good results for all points analyzed, except for social feelings. Gynecomastia in adolescents can be surgically treated with subareolar incision, reporting good aesthetic results and low incidence of complications. Specific tests are useful to assess patient satisfaction.

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Zangari, A., Noviello, C., Todesco, C., Romano, M., Trotta, L., Botta, C., Cascone, I., Scommegna, S., Vasta, G., Briganti, V., & Papparella, A. (2024). Satisfaction and results of the subareolar incision as treatment for gynecomastia in adolescents: experience of two centers. La Pediatria Medica E Chirurgica, 46(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/pmc.2024.336