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Explore the condition of symmastia and its implications with Meri Sehat. Gain insights for informed decisions and potential treatment.

Symmastia Explained

Introduction

The term symmastia, which is derived from the Greek words: syn, meaning &ldquo;together&rdquo; and mastos, meaning &ldquo;breast,&rdquo; refers to a medical condition that occurs when your breasts grow together.

If you have symmastia, your cleavage can look like this:

<ul>
	<li>An unfilled skin web between your breasts</li>
	<li>A web of skin, fat, and other tissue that runs between your breasts</li>
	<li>An abnormal arrangement of <a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/rejuvenate-inside-out-unveiling-the-top-6-benefits-of-collagen-supplements">collagen</a> fiber in breast tissue 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

This condition varies from person to person. For instance, the lack of cleavage is sometimes less noticeable for some people.

It usually occurs as a side effect of augmentation mammoplasty that, incidentally, is the second most popular aesthetic surgical surgery in Brazil and the United States<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. 
&nbsp;

Understanding Symmastia: Uniting of Breast Tissue

Symmastia is classified into 2 types:

<ol>
	<li>Congenital Symmastia</li>
</ol>

This means you were born with this condition. It was first reported by Spence et al. in 1984<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. It is extremely rare and it has no known cause. 
&nbsp;

<ol start="2">
	<li>Acquired Symmastia</li>
</ol>

Also known as iatrogenic symmastia, this type is also a rare condition, but it&rsquo;s more common than the congenital one. It occurs as a complication of breast augmentation or reconstruction surgery.

While the symptoms of symmastia are mostly cosmetic, acquired symmastia in particular can occasionally cause discomfort or pain in the breasts. 
&nbsp;

The causes of congenital symmastia are unknown.

Acquired symmastia typically occurs when oversized implants are used. Moreover, constant pressure or excessive midline dissection after breast augmentation surgery leads to the formation of a capsular pocket. When this occurs, one or both implants move toward the center of your chest.

Although you may notice this immediately after surgery, it is possible that the issue does not become obvious until your post-surgical swelling subsides. 
&nbsp;

Other risk factors include:

<ul>
	<li>Implants that are either too large or too wide for your body</li>
	<li>Pre-existing chest wall deformities</li>
	<li>Implants are placed incorrectly or with insufficient technique (e.g., the doctor made the cut the wrong way or removed too much tissue close to the sternum)</li>
	<li>Too many breasts reconstruction surgeries 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Surgery is the only possible treatment for either type of symmastia.

<h5>Congenital Symmastia</h5>

It&rsquo;s difficult to treat congenital symmastia because there are only a few cases that have been reported and doctors have little research to go on. It is not as simple as traditional breast reduction surgery because the issue is related to the structure and not the size.

Nevertheless, congenital symmastia can sometimes be effectively treated with a combination of liposuction, skin fixation to the sternum, and postoperative intermammary compression.

However, it&#39;s recommended to postpone your surgery until your breasts mature. 
&nbsp;

Before starting the procedure, your surgeon will carefully mark your skin for guidance during surgery. The procedure entails removing the excess tissue between the breasts either through liposuction or surgical resection so you&rsquo;ll be given general anesthesia.

The actual surgical procedure will vary depending on the specifics of your symmastia. For instance, your doctor may advise you to wear a compression bra for several months after surgery if it&rsquo;s required. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Acquired Symmastia</h5>

Acquired symmastia is less difficult to treat than congenital symmastia. The technique is different for each patient. It depends on how your breasts and implants are positioned and how well your tissues have healed.

Surgery will most likely include the removal of scar tissue, repair of the pocket, and repositioning or replacement of the implants, possibly with a smaller-sized implant. Permanent internal sutures will assist in keeping the breasts and implants in place. 
&nbsp;

Surgical complications for acquired symmastia include a bad reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, and infection at the surgical site. This procedure may also result in the following:

<ul>
	<li>Asymmetrical breasts</li>
	<li>Scarring</li>
	<li>Irregularities in contouring 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Conclusion

Your breasts or breast implants appear to merge into one another, with no space between them, if you have symmastia.

Symmastia can be effectively treated.

However, the decision to have corrective surgery is totally your choice; if you feel uncomfortable with the appearance of your breasts or if you feel it&rsquo;s affecting your quality of life. Get a medical evaluation; get 2-3 opinions if you want, and then make your decision. 
&nbsp;

Key Takeaways

<ul>
	<li>Symmastia is a rare condition in which your breasts grow together.</li>
	<li>The most typical cause of symmastia is breast reconstruction.</li>
	<li>Symmastia is frequently challenging to treat and may require multiple surgeries.</li>
</ul>

[1] Sadaka MS, Allam AA. Congenital symmastia: a 3-step approach. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016;4(12).

[2] Pavelecini M, Fasolin F, Zanin E, Gasperin B, Freitas F, Possamai L, et al. Post-mammoplasty symmastia augmentation with silicone implants: treatment with quilting sutures. Rev Bras Cir Plástica. 2001;33(2):251–7.