Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
mammoplasty
Pronunciation: MAM-oh-plas-tee
Surgical procedure involving breast reconstruction, augmentation, or reduction.
Full Definition
Mammoplasty encompasses various surgical procedures performed on the breast, including augmentation (enlargement), reduction (size reduction), mastopexy (lifting), and reconstruction following mastectomy. Each procedure type requires specific documentation standards for insurance authorization and medical coding. Editors must ensure proper terminology is used to distinguish between cosmetic and reconstructive mammoplasty procedures, as this affects coverage determinations and regulatory compliance.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish clearly between mammoplasty (surgical reconstruction) and mammography (imaging).
In Context
- "Bilateral reduction mammoplasty alleviated the patient's chronic back pain." — Insurance prior authorization
- "The reconstruction mammoplasty was performed using tissue expanders." — Surgical case summary
Also known as
breast surgery
Don't confuse with
mastectomy
mastopexy