Inner bra
The inner bra is a surgical technique to permanently lift the breast shape. The surgical technique was already described in 1999 (Frey MA, 1999, Brit J Plast Surg).
Areas of application in the field of plastic surgery
The technique can be used for breast lifts and breast reductions. The inner bra technique requires a vertical (Lejour method, I method or vertical method) or a T-shaped approach (Strömbeck method). For patients who have lost a lot of weight, the technique is intended to create a fuller décolleté.
During a conventional breast reduction or breast lift, excess skin and breast tissue is removed. With an internal bra, the lower layer of excess skin (dermis) between the areola and the underbust fold is spared. In this area, only the epidermis and any excess mammary gland tissue is removed. The deepithelialized skin (skin without epidermis) is fixed to the rib cage to support the overlying breast tissue like a rib cage.
The benefits of this method have only been insufficiently investigated. There are only two studies that have compared breast reductions in patients with an internal bra and in patients without an internal bra. Unfortunately, only a few patients (maximum 25) were examined over a short period of time (maximum 16 months). The satisfaction of patients with or without an internal bra is comparable.
The lower part of the breast appears to be minimally smaller after the internal bra technique (Menderes A et al., 2005, Br J Plast Surg). A significant influence on the fullness of the décolleté could not be proven (Eisenhardt SU et al. 2013, Aesthetic Plast Surg).
Synonym:
Dermal suspension
