AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY EVALUATING SURGICAL TECHNIQUES AND OUTCOMES IN GYNECOMASTIA

Abstract

 Gynecomastia is a benign condition characterized by  enlargement of the male breast due to proliferation of glandular tissue. It is thought to result from a number of mechanisms including raised Estrogen : Androgen ratio, increased breast sensitivity to normal circulating estrogens levels in blood and/or an increase in Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Luteinizing Hormone receptors in male breast tissue¹.  This Condition may be unilateral or bilateral, symmetric or asymmetric.Gynecomastia is a common and clinically important condition with a reported prevalence of up to 36%². Nevertheless, major gaps in knowledge regarding its modern epidemiology exist, and it has not been proven whether the apparent rise in its incidence is true. Also, over recent

decades, there has been substantial increase in the use of anabolic steroids and environmental contamination with xenoestrogens or estrogen-like substances that, at least theoretically, can stimulate glandular proliferation of the male breast³.

Because in gynecomastia males exhibit bodies not conforming to the anatomical gender norms, breasted-men may be subject to stigmatization leading to “discredited” masculinity. Data from researchers Wassersug and Oliffe (2008) show that gynecomastia in cancer patients is associated with decreased quality of life⁴. Accordingly, physio-psychologicalconcerns associated with breast development are often the impetus for male mastectomy. The goals of surgical treatment of gynecomastia should include restoration of normal male chest  contour whilst limiting scar visibility⁵. This study aims at knowing the clinical profile of gynecomastia and its management.