Techniques for Retaining the Inframammary Fold in Implant-Based Reconstructive Breast Surgery

Both reconstructive and aesthetic implant-based breast surgery are associated with the risk of damage or destruction of the inframammary fold (IMF). Such surgical complications lead to implant disposition and disruption of the natural shape of the breast. Various techniques are used to restore the IMF or prevent its damage, such as tissue rearrangement, sutures, capsular flaps, the use of biological matrices or synthetic meshes. In this review, all current methods of retaining the IMF and the frequency of complications reported over the past ten years are reviewed.