Gestational gigantomastia surgical treatment procedure

Abstract

Introduction: Physiological enlargement of the breasts occurs at puberty and during pregnancy. It is known as gestational gigantomastia when enlargement in pregnancy becomes excessive, uncomfortable and embarrassing. Gestational gigantomastia may have far reaching effects for the mother and fetus. This rare condition is Associated with considerable morbidity but may be Associated with good fetal outcome. Our case was very special in the surgical approach. Gestational gigantomastia is a very rare condition and only about 100 cases have been reported in the literature. The breasts are of vital importance to the newborn child, particularly in developing countries where breast feeding is common. Breast feeding confers numerous advantages on the infant including reduced mortality rate and improved neurological development. Physiological enlargement of the breasts occurs at puberty and during pregnancy, when it starts very early and is sustained until delivery. The factors controlling breast growth are complex and not completely understood, although estrogens, progesterone, prolactin, growth hormone and adrenal steroids are all known to play a role. Sometimes this process goes wrong resulting in an excessively large and painful breast called gestational gigantomastia (gravida gigantomastia, mammary hyperplasia of pregnancy) or virginal hyperplasia when it occurs at puberty. This rare but important condition of the breast not only interferes with breast feeding but may cause severe maternal morbidity and even mortality.