Introduction

Reduction mammaplasty (RM) is the gold-standard treatment for symptomatic macromastia,however complications related to wound healing are common.1

The literature reports high tissue resection weight (TRW), ranging from >700 g to >1500 g per breast as a significant risk factor,2-6 yet the available data islargely based on adult and middle-aged patients.

This study aims to analyze TRW as a risk factor for wound healing complications in adolescent RM

 

Methods

Retrospective chart review of RM cases performed between the years 2014 to 2021.

Inclusion criteria: 

-10 to 24 years old

-Treatment for symptomatic macromastia only

-No previous breast surgery, radiation, or biopsy

-Wise pattern with inferior pedicle

 Data collected from post-op visits at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively

Discussion

Increased BMI and current/former smoking status are the most recognized risk factors for wound healing complications, with wound dehiscence being the most common.2-7

The physiologic effects of obesity and tobacco smoke are known to result in vascular insufficiency, oxidative stress, alteration in immune mediators, and nutritional deficiencies

The current literature is unclear on the role of safety limits to TRW.2-7

Our study demonstrated that a larger TRW was not associated with a higher risk of complications, indicating that other factors associated with obesity may be influencing surgical outcomes.

 

Conclusions

In 66 consecutive adolescent RM procedures from 2014 to 2021, 43.9 % of patients experienced complications related to wound healing; consistent with rates in the existing literature.1-5 

In our study, a BMI ≥ 30, 30 - 34.9, and 35 - 39.9 were found to be significant risk factors.