Chignon Mastopexy Dubai — Dr. Kotti's Technique Explained

The Chignon Mastopexy is a breast lift technique invented and published internationally by Dr. Bouraoui Kotti, EBOPRAS-certified plastic surgeon at Seline Clinic Dubai. It represents a conceptually different approach to mastopexy — addressing the internal glandular architecture of the breast rather than relying primarily on skin tightening.

This page explains the technique in clinical detail, how it differs from standard breast lift methods, and the anatomical rationale behind the glandular flap approach.

Quick answer: The Chignon Mastopexy uses two internal glandular flaps — folded and suspended inside the breast — to create a durable anatomical support structure that restores central volume and projection without synthetic implants. It addresses glandular ptosis at its source rather than simply tightening the overlying skin. The technique was published by Dr. Kotti in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery journal (2018) and is indexed on PubMed.

The Anatomical Problem with Standard Breast Lifts

Conventional mastopexy primarily reshapes the skin envelope: excess skin is removed, the nipple-areola complex is repositioned, and the result is a breast that appears lifted immediately after surgery. The mechanism of support is skin tension.

The limitation: skin is subject to ongoing ageing, gravitational forces, and hormonal changes. In techniques that rely primarily on the skin envelope for support, the correction may gradually recede as the skin envelope stretches over time.

A second consideration: in many patients presenting with breast ptosis, the issue is not purely one of skin excess — the breast gland itself has descended and lost its youthful internal architecture. Tightening the skin without addressing the gland creates a result that does not fully restore the central fullness and projection associated with a younger breast shape.

The Chignon Technique — How It Works

The Chignon Mastopexy treats the breast as a three-dimensional sculpture. Instead of working solely with the skin envelope, the surgeon creates two internal glandular flaps from the patient’s own breast tissue.

These flaps are:

1. Folded — manipulated to increase the central density and projection of the internal glandular mass
2. Suspended — secured internally to the chest wall fascia or overlying tissue, providing an anatomical support structure

The name derives from the visual resemblance of the folded, elevated glandular structure to a chignon — the classic French hairstyle in which hair is coiled and lifted at the nape of the neck.

The result: central breast volume is restored using the patient’s own tissue, and the glandular suspension provides a durable internal support that does not rely solely on skin tension for its correction.

Publication

The technique was first published by Dr. Bouraoui Kotti in:

“The Chignon Mastopexy Technique”
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Springer, 2018
View on PubMed · View on Springer

Chignon Mastopexy vs. Standard Techniques

Incision and Scar Considerations

The Chignon Mastopexy uses incision patterns consistent with standard mastopexy — selected based on the degree of ptosis:

• Vertical (lollipop): periareolar incision + vertical scar to breast crease — suited to moderate ptosis
• Anchor (inverted-T): periareolar + vertical + horizontal crease — for significant ptosis requiring the most comprehensive correction

The internal glandular work is performed through these same incisions — no additional external scarring is required beyond what would be expected for the equivalent standard mastopexy.

Scar management and healing progression are discussed in full during the pre-operative consultation and monitored at follow-up appointments.

Who Is This Technique Suited For?

The Chignon Mastopexy may be appropriate for patients who:

• Present with breast ptosis (grade II or III — nipple at or below the inframammary fold)
• Have sufficient glandular tissue volume to allow flap creation
• Prefer to avoid synthetic implants (entirely autologous approach)
• Seek restoration of central breast projection and fullness — not purely repositioning
• Have realistic expectations and are in good general health

Individual anatomical assessment determines whether the Chignon technique, a standard mastopexy, or a combined approach (mastopexy + implants) is the most appropriate recommendation. This is discussed in full during the pre-operative consultation.

About Dr. Bouraoui Kotti

Dr. Bouraoui Kotti is an EBOPRAS-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, MD PhD, and the inventor of the Chignon Mastopexy. He practises at Seline Clinic, Dubai, UAE, with over 20 years of international experience in breast surgery. The Chignon technique is part of his published academic contribution to mastopexy innovation.

He is certified by the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS), an active member of ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) and ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), and licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

A pre-operative consultation at Seline Clinic includes a comprehensive clinical assessment, discussion of technique options, individual anatomy evaluation, full review of risks and realistic outcomes, and a personalised treatment plan. There is no obligation following consultation.

Individual outcomes vary. A pre-operative consultation is mandatory.

Book a Free Consultation · See Before & After Results · Read Dr. Kotti’s CV

Related procedures:

• Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Dubai — Full procedure details, techniques, and candidacy
• Breast Augmentation Dubai — For patients also seeking increased volume
• Breast Lipofilling Dubai — Natural volume addition without implants

Further reading:

• Breast Lift Dubai — Complete Guide — 4 technique options, recovery, and what to expect
• Fat Grafting Dubai — How fat transfer can complement mastopexy
• Cosmetic Surgery Dubai 2026 — Overview of all procedures and surgeon selection criteria

The information in this article is provided for patient education purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Suitability for any surgical procedure must be determined through an individual clinical evaluation with a licensed specialist.