Iatrogenic symmastia may occur following breast augmentation, forming what is also colloquially referred to as a "uniboob" or "breadloafing" as a result of the release of skin and muscle tissue around the sternum due to over-dissection.
[8] Similarly, over-dissection of the pocket can weaken the medial breast tissue and cause implant migration towards the midline, resulting in symmastia.
Patients with thin or weak breast tissue are at a higher risk of developing symmastia due to their reduced ability to support the implants.
[11] Similarly, patients who have undergone previous breast surgeries may have compromised tissue quality, increasing their risk for symmastia.
Patients with a wide sternum or narrow chest wall may be predisposed to developing symmastia due to their anatomy.
[13] The study found that this procedure had a success rate of over 90% and resulted in significant improvements in patients' satisfaction with their appearance and quality of life.
According to an article published in Plastic Surgical Nursing, these garments can help redistribute the breast tissue and support the implants in their proper position.
The book "Aesthetic Plastic Surgery" by Sherrell J. Aston and Douglas S. Steinbrech notes that using appropriately sized implants that fit the patient's anatomy can help prevent symmastia.