mastectomy means gyno surgery ?

[sunny007]

is mastectomy used for gynecomastia treatment ?

[Grandpa Bambu]

Todays techniques are much more refined...

GB

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

The proper medical term for gynecomastia reduction surgery is sub-cutaneous mastectomy.  If and when insurance is involved, this is the term that is used for coding the operation.

There is a vast difference between the common connotation of a "mastectomy" versus what most gyne surgeons do in the operating room.

Dr Jacobs

[Grandpa Bambu]

is mastectomy used for gynecomastia treatment ?

Mastectomy: surgical removal of all or part of the breast and sometimes associated lymph nodes and muscles. (Merriam-Webster online dictionary)

So to answer your question... Yes, gynecomastia reduction/removal is done by mastectomy. More precisely, sub-cutaneous mastectomy as Dr. Jacobs mentioned.

GB

[Grandpa Bambu]

There is a vast difference between the common connotation of a "mastectomy" versus what most gyne surgeons do in the operating room.

Dr Jacobs

How do the two procedures, mastectomy and sub-cutaneous mastectomy, differ doc?

GB

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

A mastectomy, frequently for women with cancer, can include an extensive dissection, possible removal of the chest muscle, sometimes lymph nodes, removal of some skin and all breast tissue, and almost always, removal of the nipples.

A subcutaneous mastectomy means that the tissues under the skin have been removed -- not the nipples.

In rare cases of male breast cancer, a simple mastectomy is usually performed, which involves removal of some skin, the nipples and all the underlying breast tissue.  The muscle is usually left intact except if the tumor has invaded it.

Dr Jacobs

[Grandpa Bambu]

Thanks for the explanation doc... much appreciated!

GB