OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical effect and complications of subfascial breast augmentation and submammary breast augmentation.

METHODFrom Sept. 2009 to May 2012 , 25 patients with subfascial breast augmentation and 31 patients with submammary breast augmentation were observed. The postoperative results including visible implant edge or ripple, upper pole of the implant and long-term implant ptosis were compared respectively. The complications including hematoma, infection and capsular contraction were also recorded.

RESULTS56 cases were followed up for 2 months to 26 months. The incidence rate of visible implant edge or ripple was 4.0% (1/25 ) in the subfascial group and 29.0% (9/31) in the submammary group, showing a significant difference between them ( PC 0.05). The incidence rate of convex upper pole of the implant was 8.0% (2/25) in the subfascial group and 35.5% (11/31) in the submammary group, showing a significant difference between them ( P < 0.05). Long-term implant ptosis was not found in the two groups. The incidence rate of hematoma was 4.0% (1/25) in the subfascial group and 6.5% (2/31) in the submammary group, infection was not found. The incidence rate of capsular contraction was 8.0% (2/25) in the subfascial group and 12.9% (4/31) in the submammary group, showing no statistical difference between them ( P > 0.05 ).

CONCLUSIONSSubfascial breast augmentation has more clinical advantages compared with submammary breast augmentation, but no evident difference was found in the common complication rate, such as capsular contraction.