Breast reduction outcome study.
The outcome of 75 consecutive bilateral breast reduction procedures on 73 patients (65 inferior pedicle and 9 superior pedicle with inverted-T closure, and 1 ultrasonic-assisted lipoplasty) is evaluated. Fifty-six surveys at an average follow-up of 35 months, 36 standardized examinations at an average follow-up of 31 months, 52 paired preoperative/postoperative photographs, and 73 chart reviews comprise the data. Mean age at surgery was 32 years. Of the patients surveyed, there were 51 whites, 18 blacks, and 4 other races. The majority of survey respondents reported improvement in breast appearance (93%), self-esteem (85%), posture (84%), and activity level (77%). The percentage of patients free of back pain rose from 9% preoperatively to 59% postoperatively. Some decrease in nipple sensitivity was noted by survey in 34 nipple-areolar complexes (31%), and clinical examination detected decreased sensitivity in 16% of nipples. Thirty-one percent of patients reported improvement in their intimate relationship postoperatively and 65% reported no change. Ninety-five percent felt they had made the right decision in having breast reduction surgery. Physical examination revealed excellent maintenance of shape and impressive fading of surgical scars over the years in the majority of patients. The postoperative aesthetic result depends on several important preoperative factors, including skin tone, breast shape, and degree of ptosis. Adverse sequelae included infection (1.3%), nipple cyanosis (1.3%) but no nipple-areolar necrosis, and wound dehiscence (4.0%) but no skin flap necrosis. Late complications included underresection requiring reoperation (4.0%), fat necrosis (2.7%), hypertrophic scars (6.7%), and pseudoptosis (12.0%). Breast reduction surgery results in a good outcome for most patients, with high patient satisfaction. Patients are accepting of the large T-pattern scar that fades surprisingly well with time in exchange for symptomatic relief and substantial improvement in breast size and shape.