Type of Surgery
Male Pectoral Augmentation
Last updated: 10/18/2009
Pectoral augmentation is a surgical procedure, usually performed for the cosmetic enhancement of the patient, that increases the size of the pectoral region in men. The pectoral muscles are those in the upper chest. Despite exercise and weight training, some men are not able to develop these muscles to the degree which they would like, so they seek out pectoral augmentation to improve the appearance of this area, create a more masculine appearance in the chest, and improve self esteem. There have been several attempts at pectoral augmentation surgery over the years but the most recent iteration is yielding results that are quite satisfactory.
In contrast to female breast augmentation which uses a fluid filled sac to approximate the look and feel of natural breast tissue, male pectoral implants are solid and are designed to be similar to the density of muscle. The silicone elastomer implant, which comes in different sizes and can be shaped prior to implant, is placed under the pectoral muscle itself. In many ways it acts as a riser for the patient’s own pectoral muscle, which rests on top of the pectoral implant.
Pectoral augmentation performed in this manner has several advantages over older methods. Previous permutation of pectoral augmentation included fluid filled instead of solid pectoral implants. In other approaches, the implant was placed on top of the pectoral muscle. Both of these older approaches did not adequately simulate the appearance of a strong and bulky chest. Many patients that have had these previous pectoral augmentation procedures have since had revisions with the newer pectoral augmentation implants and technique.
Pectoral augmentation surgery can be performed under general anesthesia or under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. The former approach causes less discomfort for the patient but the latter is associated with quicker recovery times and decreased costs. Many surgeons will opt for general anesthesia when possible and in healthy patients because the aesthetic result is often better when the pectoral implant can be moved about the chest freely during placement. Pectoral augmentation with local anesthesia is sometimes restricted by the depth and extent of local anesthesia penetration.
Pectoral implants can be placed through several incision locations, however the most common approach is to enter the chest through an incision in the armpit. A space is made for the pectoral implant by blunt dissection and then snugly placed beneath the pectoralis major muscle. This approach decreases bruising and degree to which there remains a surgical scar.
The total number of cases of pectoral augmentation each year is fairly low; in 2008 it is estimated that fewer than 1,500 men had pectoral augmentation surgery in the United States. This number is especially low when you consider that male breast reduction surgery is one of more frequent male cosmetic plastic surgeries with nearly 20,000 procedures performed in 2008. Note male breast reduction surgery is sometimes combines with the placement of male pectoral implants.
There are several presumed reasons for this relatively low number of pectoral augmentation procedures. Many men do not realize that pectoral implants are available and thus do not seek plastic surgery. Those men that are aware of pectoral augmentation may shy away from the procedure given the unacceptable outcomes of past pectoral implants and approaches. As pectoral augmentation techniques improve and the knowledge of the procedure is more widely known, the number of male pectoral implant procedures will increase.
Last Updated: 10/18/2009
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