Reduction Mammoplasty is a Functional Operation, for Improving the Quality of Life in Symptomatic Women - MDbP301

Lee, Sang Dal

Abstract

PURPOSE
Women with huge breasts suffer cervical, shoulder and back pain, breast pain and limitations of their daily activities, and all of this can create a functional disability and poor quality of life. Many patients with huge breasts need a reduction surgery not only for cosmetic purposes but also for functional improvement. METHODS: Fifty reduction mammoplasty cases that were operated in M.D. Clinic from April 2001 to August 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient's age, the amount of removed breast tissue and the method of operation were evaluated, and 38 of these cases were surveyed by phone concerning the changes of their physical symptoms. RESULTS: The mean age of the cases were 37.3, and the ages ranged from 18 to 57. The amounts of removed tissue ranged from 50 g to 605 g (mean of right side: 275 g, and left side: 271 g). Nine cases of Benneli's circumareolar scar technique, 9 cases of inferior pedicle flap (inverted T scar) and 32 cases of circumvertical bipedicle flap were performed. Among the 38 cases that were surveyed by phone, most of them had suffered physical symptoms preoperatively, including cervical and shoulder pain (31 cases, 81.6%), back pain (35 cases, 92%), breast pain (21 cases, 55.3%), submammary rash (24 cases, 63.2%), fatigue (14 cases, 36.8%), headache (15 cases, 39.5%), numbness in hands (6 cases, 15.8%) and depression or nervousness (29 cases, 76.3%). The majority of survey respondents reported improvement in cervical and shoulder pain (100%), back pain (100%), fatigue (100%), headache (100%), breast pain (90.5%), submammary rash (91.7%), depression or nervousness (82.7%). Furthermore, there were additional gains including increased ability to enjoy physical exercise and social activity, improvement in the fit of their clothing and in their self-esteem. Adverse sequelae included scars (21 cases, 55.2%), asymmetry (11 cases, 28.9%), decrease in nipple sensation (13 cases, 34.2%), infection (1 cases, 2.6%) and hematoma (1 cases, 2.6%). CONCLUSION: Huge breast create physical symptoms including cervical and shoulder pain, back pain, breast pain, submammary rash, and other social and psychological problems. Reduction mammoplasty can improve the majority of these symptoms caused by huge breast, and this is an operation to help mend a functional disability.