(HealthNewsDigest.com).. New York, NY September 15, 2006 — The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) announced that teens with asymmetrical or unevenly shaped breasts should be aware that their breasts can be corrected using common surgical procedures. A review of some of the key considerations for successfully treating unevenly shaped breasts is published in the September/October 2006 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, the Society's official peer-reviewed journal.

Breast asymmetry may occur because of problems with breast growth and development or through acquired conditions, such as trauma from tumors, infection, or burns. Asymmetry can take several forms including the absence of breast structures (e.g., total absence of the breast), excess structures (e.g., supernumary nipples), variations in size, and variations in shape on one or both sides of the body. These disturbances may involve the nipple areolar complex, the breast mound, or both. In the majority of patients, the exact cause is unknown.

With standard procedures we can successfully treat teens whose breast developed abnormally as well as those who have changes following breastfeeding or trauma. For women who wish to have children, there are procedures which will preserve their ability to breastfeed, said Foad Nahai, M.D., Chair of the Aesthetic Society's Breast Surgery Committee. It is possible that surgery must be performed on both breasts, not just one. If similar procedures are performed on both breasts, the likelihood of symmetry is greatly increased.

Although many physicians advise waiting until breast growth is fully complete, earlier intervention may be appropriate in some cases, particularly in teens in whom asymmetry is very noticeable, or in those who become depressed or socially withdrawn because of their condition. As with any patient, the young woman should appreciate the benefits and limitations of the proposed surgery, and have realistic expectations.

The Aesthetic Surgery Journal is the peer-reviewed publication of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and is the most widely read clinical journal in the field of cosmetic surgery, with subscribers in more than 60 countries.

This is cache, read story here