Short-term Satisfaction, Psychosocial Impact, and Complication Profile of Reduction Mammaplasty During Adolescence.

BACKGROUND: Reduction mammaplasty is an effective and safe treatment option for adults with symptomatic macromastia, but there are few data regarding outcomes in adolescents. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the short-term psychosocial impact, satisfaction, and safety of reduction mammaplasty when performed during adolescence. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of a single pediatric plastic surgeon's experience with reduction mammaplasty from 2018 to 2021 in patients aged ≤18 years. Patients completed the preoperative and postoperative "Satisfaction with Breasts" and "Psychosocial Well-being" sections of the BREAST-Q survey. Clinical variables gathered included age, weight, BMI, complication profile, specimen resection weight, and follow-up duration. RESULTS: In total, 41 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean converted Rasch scores for BREAST-Q "Satisfaction with Breasts" and "Psychosocial Well-being" increased significantly following reduction mammaplasty ("Satisfaction with Breasts": preoperative, 24.1 vs postoperative, 92.6; "Psychosocial Well-being": preoperative, 37.7 vs postoperative, 90.4; P < .001). Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) was associated with lower preoperative "Psychosocial Well-being" scores (obese, 29.7 vs nonobese, 43.3; P < .001) but a greater improvement in score following surgery (obese, +63.9 vs nonobese, +44.9; P < .001). Specimen weight ≥1000 grams was also associated with greater improvement in score on the "Psychosocial Well-being" section (≥1000 grams, +58 vs <1000 grams, +49.7; P = .046). Overall complication rate was 31.7% while the major complication rate was 2.4%. Mean specimen resection weight was higher in patients who experienced complications (1141.3 grams vs 836.8 grams, P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction mammaplasty during adolescence predictably improves both short-term satisfaction with breasts and psychosocial well-being while demonstrating a favorable short-term complication profile.

Risk Factors Associated with Severe Macromastia among Adolescents and Young Women.

BACKGROUND: Macromastia is common among adolescents and young women and has well-documented negative physical and psychosocial effects. The pathogenesis of idiopathic macromastia has been attributed to increased end organ sensitivity to circulating gonadal hormones. Despite the known negative effects of macromastia, there is a paucity of literature examining the clinical risk factors associated with macromastia severity in this age group. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, standardized clinical forms were administered to patients between the ages of 12 and 21 years undergoing reduction mammaplasty. Data were collected pertaining to patient demographics, biometrics, breast symptoms, medical and family history, and breast tissue resection mass at the time of reduction. Resection mass was normalized to patient body surface area in analyses. RESULTS: A total of 375 patients were included in analyses. Mean age at surgery was 18.1 years. The following risk factors were positively associated with macromastia severity in both univariate and multivariate logistic regression models: overweight or obesity, racial or ethnic minority status, patient-reported gynecologic or endocrine complaints, and early menarche ( p < 0.05, all). More severe cases of macromastia were associated with approximately three times the odds of being overweight or obese or achieving menarche before 11 years old. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample, overweight or obesity, racial or ethnic minority status, early menarche, and patient-reported gynecologic or endocrine complaints were all positively associated with macromastia severity. Awareness of these factors can empower physicians to identify and address modifiable risk factors to prevent progression to more severe disease. Macromastia itself should prompt screening for gynecologic or endocrine complaints with referral as indicated. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

A Matched Comparison of the Benefits of Breast Reduction on Health-Related Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: Breast reduction surgery has consistently fallen within the top 10 surgical procedures performed by plastic surgeons. This is because of its capability to relieve the physical and psychological impact of macromastia. Although numerous women pursue consultation, many never undergo the procedure. The authors aim to quantify the impact of breast reduction surgery on quality of life by comparing patients who underwent breast reduction surgery with those who did not. METHODS: Patients seeking breast reduction surgery between 2016 and 2019 were identified. As standard-of-care, patients are surveyed during the consultation visit and postoperative visits using the BREAST-Q. The preoperative survey was readministered a second time for those who did not undergo breast reduction surgery. Propensity score matching, based on patient demographics, comorbidities, and breast examination, was used to balance baseline characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 100 propensity-matched patients were identified (operative, n = 78; nonoperative, n = 22). Mean participant age was 39.5 ± 25 years and mean body mass index was 31.1 ± 7.4 kg/m2. Quality of life significantly improved in each domain for those in the operative group (p < 0.05). Those who did not undergo breast reduction surgery realized no improvement in quality of life and had a downward trend in quality of life across two of the four domains. CONCLUSIONS: Breast reduction surgery offers a significant improvement in quality of life for macromastia. This matched study demonstrates that patients who are able to undergo breast reduction surgery have a statistically significant improvement in all aspects of quality of life, whereas nonsurgical patients experience no benefit with time, with a trend toward deterioration in specific domains.

Do larger reductions yield larger returns? patient-reported outcomes as a function of specimen weight in bilateral reduction mammoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing breast reduction mammoplasty for symptomatic macromastia have a significantly improved quality of life postoperatively. However, there are no data that examine the effect of reduction mammoplasty on quality of life as a function of the weight of tissue removed. Because the process by which insurance providers consider patients' candidacy for this breast reduction mammoplasty is most often based on the proposed weight of tissue to be removed, this gap in our understanding is particularly glaring. We therefore designed a prospective trial with the intent of investigating the correlation between breast reduction specimen weight and postoperative pain and quality of life. METHODS: After obtaining institutional review board (IRB) approval, patients presenting for breast reduction mammoplasty at a single academic medical center between January 2016 and September 2019 were prospectively enrolled in the study. Study participants completed the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and the BREAST-Q at set time points (preoperatively, 1 week/1 month/3 months/6 months postoperatively). Patients were divided into three cohorts based on breast reduction specimen weights: small (<500 g reduction), intermediate (500-1000 g reduction), and large (>1000 g reduction). The surveys were then analyzed while controlling for demographic factors and complications. RESULTS: A total of 85 women were enrolled in the study and completed pre- and postoperative surveys (small reduction n = 21 (25%), intermediate n = 45 (53%), and large n = 19 (22%)). Regardless of reduction specimen weight, patients reported decreased overall pain and increased satisfaction with their breasts, as well as improved psychosocial, sexual, and physical well-being at each postoperative visit. Preoperative SF-MPQ pain scores were significantly lower in the small specimen weight group compared with either the intermediate or the large group (p = 0.001). Postoperatively, both the intermediate and large groups reported significant improvement in pain at each time point. The small specimen weight group did not report significant pain improvement until 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing breast reduction mammoplasty experience decreased pain and improved quality of life regardless of reduction specimen weight. Improvement in these parameters manifests as early as 1 week postoperatively and maintained at 3 months postoperatively. These data suggest that many patients who are denied coverage for reduction mammoplasty on the basis of low projected reduction specimen weight would derive significant benefit from the procedure.

BREAST-Q Outcomes before and after Bilateral Reduction Mammaplasty.

BACKGROUND: The BREAST-Q is the only questionnaire specific to bilateral breast reduction that was developed according to federal and international standards. Many payors mandate minimum resection weights for preapproval, despite lacking supportive evidence for this practice. This study aimed to assess changes in BREAST-Q scores after bilateral breast reduction, and determine whether compliance with Schnur requirements impacts improvement in patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: Patients presenting for bilateral breast reduction from 2011 to 2017 were asked to complete the BREAST-Q preoperatively and postoperatively. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to isolate factors associated with favorable outcomes. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 238 patients. Mean time to postoperative BREAST-Q was 213 days. Complications occurred in 31 patients (13.0 percent). Mean preoperative BREAST-Q scores were below normative values (p < 0.001), and mean postoperative scores were above normative values (p < 0.001 for Satisfaction with Breasts, Psychosocial Well-being, and Sexual Well-being; and p = 0.05 for Physical Well-being). Postoperative Physical Well-being scores were similar to normative values for resections less than Schnur (p = 0.32), but below norms for resections greater than Schnur (p < 0.0001). On multivariate regression (n = 230), complication and surgeon experience were the only independent predictors of lesser improvement on the Satisfaction with Breasts subscale. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the largest to include both preoperative and postoperative bilateral breast reduction BREAST-Q scores, and to compare multiple subscales to normative data. Scores overwhelmingly increased, regardless of age or Schnur compliance. Complications negatively impacted degree of BREAST-Q improvement. Interestingly, postoperative Physical Well-being was slightly higher in women with non-Schnur-compliant resections. Bilateral breast reduction substantially improves patient welfare, and our data question the validity of insurer-mandated minimum resections. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Optimal Timing for Reduction Mammaplasty in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Reduction mammaplasty effectively alleviates symptoms and restores quality of life. However, operating on adolescents remains controversial, partly because of fear of potential postoperative breast growth. This cross-sectional study provides surgeons with a method to predict the optimal timing, or biological "sweet spot," for reduction mammaplasty to minimize the risk of breast regrowth in adolescents. METHODS: The authors reviewed the medical records of women aged 12 to 21 years who underwent reduction mammaplasty from 2007 to 2019. Collected data included symptomology, perioperative details, and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-one subjects were included in analyses and were, on average, 11.9 years old at first menses (menarche) and 17.9 years old at surgery. Six percent of subjects experienced postoperative breast growth. Breast size appears to stabilize considerably later in obese adolescents compared to healthy-weight and overweight patients, and breast growth in obese macromastia patients may not end until 9 years after menarche. Operating on obese women before this time point increased the likelihood of glandular breast regrowth by almost 120 percent (OR, 1.18; 95 percent CI, 1.11 to 1.26). Surgery performed less than 3 years after menarche, the commonly regarded end of puberty, increased the likelihood of glandular regrowth by over 700 percent in healthy-weight and overweight subjects (OR, 7.43; 95 percent CI, 1.37 to 40.41). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that reduction mammaplasty age restrictions imposed by care providers and third-party payors may be arbitrary. Surgical readiness should be determined on an individual basis incorporating the patient's biological and psychological maturity, obesity status, potential for postoperative benefit, and risk tolerance for postoperative breast growth. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Breast-Related Quality of Life in Young Reduction Mammaplasty Patients: A Long-Term Follow-Up Using the BREAST-Q.

BACKGROUND: Reduction mammaplasty is the most effective means of improving symptoms of macromastia. Although studies have shown lasting benefits in adult patients, there is a paucity of data that explore this topic in young patients. In this study, the long-term satisfaction and well-being of young reduction mammaplasty patients was assessed. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for all female patients younger than 25 years who underwent reduction mammaplasty performed by a single surgeon from 1980 to 2003. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, surgical details, and length of follow-up were recorded. Participants completed the postoperative version of the BREAST-Q Reduction module. Responses were scored on a scale of 0 to 100. Scores were summarized with descriptive statistics and compared to normative values. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of 52 eligible participants completed the survey (response rate, 71.2 percent). Median age at surgery was 21 years (range, 12.4 to 24.6 years), and median follow-up was 21.4 years (range, 11.4 to 32.4 years). Overall, participants demonstrated high satisfaction and well-being. Mean Q-Scores for Satisfaction with Breasts and Sexual Well-being were significantly higher than normative values (p = 0.0012 and p < 0.0001, respectively), and were as follows: Satisfaction with Breasts, 66.6 ± 16.5 (normative, 57 ± 16); Psychosocial Well-being, 75.9 ± 21.3 (normative, 68 ± 1 9); Sexual Well-being, 72 ± 18.2 (normative, 55 ± 19); and Physical Well-being, 81.1 ± 13.6 (normative, 76 ± 11). CONCLUSIONS: Young reduction mammaplasty patients experience excellent breast-related quality of life decades after surgery. Compared with normative values, young reduction mammaplasty patients reported higher satisfaction with breasts and sexual well-being. Surgeons and third-party payers should be aware of these data and advocate for young patients to gain access to care.

Nasal nitric oxide in relation to psychiatric status of patients with empty nose syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Although cases of empty nose syndrome (ENS) are not very common, the suffering that ENS causes patient is immense and could be very difficult to imagine. Nasal nitric oxide (nNO) is an airway disease biomarker, and its levels increase after endoscopic sinus surgery. The trend of nNO levels in ENS before and after surgical treatment remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the role of nNO in ENS. METHODS: Patients with ENS who received surgical implantation and with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis (CHR) who underwent turbinoplasty and completed at least 1 year of follow-up were prospectively enrolled. nNO measurements and subjective assessments [SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-22, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II, and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)] were performed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: We enrolled 19 ENS and 12 CHR patients. nNO levels were significantly lower in the ENS than in the CHR patients before surgical treatment (p < 0.001). nNO levels in the ENS patients significantly increased 3 months after implantation and remained plateaued (p = 0.015). BDI-II and BAI scores significantly improved after surgical treatment for the ENS patients but not for the CHR patients; changes in nNO levels correlated well with improvements in BDI-II and BAI scores (p = 0.025 and 0.035, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: nNO significantly increased at third month after surgical treatment and remained plateaued in ENS patients. This increase correlated with improvements in BDI-II and BAI scores. Therefore, nNO may be important in assessing the psychiatric status of empty nose syndrome.

Prospective Evaluation of Health After Breast Reduction Surgery Using the Breast-Q, Short-Form 36, Breast-Related Symptoms Questionnaire, and Modified Breast Evaluation Questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: Breast hypertrophy is a condition associated with physical, psychological, and psychosocial problems. The primary aims of this study were to determine the impact of breast hypertrophy and the effects of breast reduction, performed on the basis of well-described inclusion criteria, on general and breast-related health, using both general and diagnosis-specific validated questionnaires. We used a prospective, longitudinal paired study design. A secondary aim was to analyze the relationship between preoperative breast volume, body mass index, sternal notch-to-nipple distance and the weight of resected tissue on the one hand and improvements in health on the other. METHODS: Three hundred forty-eight consecutive patients undergoing breast reduction were included and the Short-Form 36 (SF-36), Breast-Related Symptoms Questionnaire (BRSQ), Modified Breast Evaluation Questionnaire (mBEQ) and BREAST-Q were distributed preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 284 (83%) patients answered the questionnaires either preoperatively or postoperatively, or both, and 159 (46%) patients answered both. The breast hypertrophy patients had significantly lower scores preoperatively than the matched normal population when it came to all dimensions of the SF-36 and mBEQ. The preoperative scores for both the BRSQ and BREAST-Q were low.After breast reduction, there were significant improvements in all dimensions of the BRSQ, mBEQ, and Breast-Q and in several dimensions of the SF-36. CONCLUSIONS: Breast reduction reduces or removes disease-associated pain. It improves or normalizes perceived health and psychosocial self-esteem in slightly obese women or women of normal weight with preoperative breast volumes around 1000 mL. Women with higher preoperative breast volumes and longer sternal notch-to-nipple distances appear to be more satisfied with the cosmetic result postoperatively.

Female Sexual Function and Sexual Well-being Before and After Breast Reduction: A Pilot Cross-sectional Study and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Breast reduction is one of the most frequently performed procedures in plastic surgery practice. Patients often undergo this procedure for not only aesthetic but also functional reasons because breast hypertrophy may hinder daily activities because of chronic spinal pain. Breast reduction has a documented impact on quality of life. However, there are only a few reports on the influence of breast reduction on sexuality. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of breast reduction on female sexual dysfunction and on sexual well-being. METHODS: Ours was a pilot cross-sectional 2-cohort study, including 75 females who had undergone breast reduction (post-BRG) and a preoperative group of 27 females with breast hypertrophy awaiting surgery (pre-BRG). Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Sexual Quality of Life-Female, and BREAST-Q Reduction/Mastopexy module were assessed within 12 to 36 months postoperatively via e-mail. A review of literature was performed. RESULTS: The mean total Sexual Quality of Life-Female score was significantly higher in the post-BRG than in the pre-BRG (76.7 ± 11.6 vs 64.4 ± 13.7; P < 0.01). The mean total FSFI score in the pre-BRG was 21 ± 11.4. It was below the FSFI cutoff score for female sexual dysfunction (≤26). In the post-BRG, the total FSFI score was significantly higher (27.4 ± 9.1; P < 0.01). The outcome of the sexual well-being domain of BREAST-Q was significantly higher in the post-BRG (72 ± 14 vs 39.3 ± 14.5; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Breast reduction procedure has a positive impact on female sexual function, sexual quality of life, and sexual well-being.

Validation of the breast evaluation questionnaire for breast hypertrophy and breast reduction.

Background: There is a lack of published, validated questionnaires for evaluating psychosocial morbidity in patients with breast hypertrophy undergoing breast reduction surgery. Aim: To validate the breast evaluation questionnaire (BEQ), originally developed for the assessment of breast augmentation patients, for the assessment of psychosocial morbidity in patients with breast hypertrophy undergoing breast reduction surgery. Study design: Validation study Subjects: Women with macromastia Methods: The validation of the BEQ, adapted to breast reduction, was performed in several steps. Content validity, reliability, construct validity and responsiveness were assessed. Results: The original version was adjusted according to the results for content validity and resulted in item reduction and a modified BEQ (mBEQ) that was then assessed for reliability, construct validity and responsiveness. Internal and external validation was performed for the modified BEQ. Convergent validity was tested against Breast-Q (reduction) and discriminate validity was tested against the SF-36. Known-groups validation revealed significant differences between the normal population and patients undergoing breast reduction surgery. The BEQ showed good reliability by test-re-test analysis and high responsiveness. Conclusion: The modified BEQ may be reliable, valid and responsive instrument for assessing women who undergo breast reduction.

Breast Hypertrophy, Reduction Mammaplasty, and Body Image.

BACKGROUND: Body image dissatisfaction is one of the major factors that motivate patients to undergo plastic surgery. However, few studies have associated body satisfaction with reduction mammaplasty. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of breast hypertrophy and reduction mammaplasty on body image. METHODS: Breast hypertrophy patients, with reduction mammaplasty already scheduled between June 2013 and December 2015 (mammaplasty group, MG), were prospectively evaluated through the body dysmorphic disorder examination (BDDE), body investment scale (BIS), and breast evaluation questionnaire (BEQ55) tools. Women with normal-sized breasts were also evaluated as study controls (normal-sized breast group, NSBG). All the participants were interviewed at the initial assessment and after six months. Data were analyzed before and after six months. RESULTS: Each group consisted of 103 women. The MG group had a significant improvement in BDDE, BIS, and BEQ55 scores six months postoperatively (P ≤ 0.001 for the three instruments), whereas the NSBG group showed no alteration in results over time (P = 0.876; P = 0.442; and P = 0.184, respectively). In the intergroup comparison it was observed that the MG group began to invest more in the body, similarly to the NSBG group, and surpassed the level of satisfaction and body image that the women of the NSBG group had after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction mammaplasty promoted improvement in body image of women with breast hypertrophy.

The Impact of Labiaplasty on Sexuality.

BACKGROUND: Labiaplasty is one of the aesthetic procedures that has shown the greatest increase in the number of operations in recent years, although the absolute number of these procedures is still very low. Labia minora hypertrophy causes not only functional discomfort and sexual difficulties, but also embarrassment and aesthetic concern. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of labiaplasty on the patient's quality of life, self-esteem, and sexual function. METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive sexually active patients, who expressed the desire to undergo labiaplasty, were divided into two groups of 12 patients each: the intervention group that underwent labiaplasty immediately after responding the first questionnaires, and the control group that received no intervention during the study period. All patients were assessed for health-related quality of life, self-esteem, and sexual function using the Brazilian Portuguese versions of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, the Brazilian version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and the Female Sexual Function Questionnaire, respectively. The questionnaires were administered at inclusion and at 3 and 6 months later in both groups. Comparisons within and between groups were performed. Statistical analysis was performed at a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: No significant differences in Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale or Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey score were found in either group during the study period. However, a significant improvement was found in the Female Sexual Function Questionnaire total score in the pain and enjoyment domains. CONCLUSION: Labiaplasty had a positive impact on sexual functioning of the study population.

The Effect of Reduction Mammaplasty on Quality of Life in Adolescents With Macromastia.

OBJECTIVES: To measure changes in health-related quality of life and breast-related symptoms after reduction mammaplasty in adolescents. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study, we administered the Short-Form 36v2 (SF-36), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Breast-Related Symptoms Questionnaire (BRSQ), and Eating Attitudes Test-26 to 102 adolescents with macromastia and 84 female controls, aged 12 to 21 years. Patients with macromastia completed surveys preoperatively and after reduction mammaplasty at 6 months and 1, 3, and 5 years. Controls completed baseline and follow-up surveys at the same intervals. RESULTS: Patients with macromastia demonstrated significant score improvements postoperatively from baseline on the RSES, BRSQ, and in 7 out of 8 SF-36 domains: physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, mental health (P < .001, all). By the 6-month follow-up visit, postoperative subjects scored similarly to or more favorably than controls on the RSES, BRSQ, Eating Attitudes Test-26 , and SF-36; these benefits persisted for at least 5 years and were not significantly affected by BMI category or age. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction mammaplasty was significantly associated with improvements in health-related quality of life and breast-related symptoms of adolescent patients, with measureable improvements in physical and psychosocial well-being evident by 6 months postoperatively and still demonstrable after 5-years. These results largely do not vary by BMI category or age. Patients and providers should be aware of the potential positive impact that reduction mammaplasty can provide adolescents with symptomatic macromastia. Historic concerns regarding age and BMI category at the time of surgery should be reconsidered.

Shared Medical Appointments for Adolescent Breast Reduction.

Adolescents with macromastia face serious physical, emotional, and social burdens because of their large breast size. Studies have shown that reduction mammoplasty results in improvement in physical symptoms and quality of life for these patients. Shared medical appointments (SMAs), defined as individual patient-physician encounters that occur in a group setting, have been successfully applied to clinics for adult patients seeking breast reduction for this condition. We decided to apply the SMA model to our clinic for preoperative evaluation of adolescent patients with macromastia. The purpose of this article is to describe how our clinic implemented SMAs, evaluate changes in clinic efficiency, measure patient quality of life before surgery, and assess patient and provider satisfaction with the SMA model.From February to June 2016, our department instituted SMAs for preoperative evaluation of female adolescent patients with macromastia. We measured days from referral to appointment for 25 patients who attended SMAs and compared this with a retrospective cohort of 21 patients who attended traditional visits from 2013 to 2015.Clinic efficiency was measured in new patients per hour. During SMAs, we also administered the BREAST-Q, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and patient and provider satisfaction surveys. Mean days between referral and office visit was reduced from 75.3 with traditional visits to 40.3 with shared appointments, although this finding was not statistically significant (P = 0.69). New patients per hour increased from 1.33 with traditional visits to 3 with SMAs, without reducing time spent on education or with the surgeon. The mean preoperative BREAST-Q scores were less than 40 for the 4 tested domains, and the mean (SD) total Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory score was 56.7 (14.8). Patients and the provider reported high satisfaction with SMAs, and the provider wishes to continue using SMAs in the clinic.In conclusion, SMAs resulted in high patient and provider satisfaction and increased clinic efficiency, without sacrificing time spent on education or with the surgeon. Low quality-of-life scores demonstrate a need for these patients to be evaluated and treated for their condition. Measuring patient-reported outcomes with validated surveys and improving clinic efficiency without sacrificing patient care have the potential to increase value at our institution.

Reduction mammaplasty improves levels of anxiety, depression and body image satisfaction in patients with symptomatic macromastia in the short and long term.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychological consequences (anxiety, depression and body image dissatisfaction) of symptomatic macromastia and the effectiveness of breast reduction surgery in re-establishing the mental health of the patient in the short and long term. METHOD: 119 patients over 18 years old who had been diagnosed with symptomatic macromastia were assessed, before surgery, one month after the operation and one year later. Patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Body Image Dissatisfaction subscale of the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2). Participants were also asked about their physical appearance, social relationships and their satisfaction with regards to clothing and dress. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 40.7 (SD = 12.02), 80.2% had a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2. Before surgery, we found psychological distress with values indicating clinical anxiety and body image dissatisfaction. Younger women (< 36 years old) were more psychologically affected. At one month after surgery, there were significant improvements: there were lower scores for anxiety (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001) and body image dissatisfaction (p < 0.001). When compared with the pre-surgery scores, all these results showed improvement one year after the intervention (p < 0.001). There were also improvements in social relationships (p < 0.001) and satisfaction with clothing and dress. CONCLUSION: Reduction mammaplasty can alleviate the psychological impact of symptomatic macromastia.

Impact of reduction mammaplasty on sexuality in patients with macromastia and their partners.

AIM OF STUDY: Women with breast hypertrophy often experience a number of physical symptoms and psychological difficulties. The breasts are very important for the psychological well-being of women, which might be affected negatively because of breast size and shape distortions. Self-body dissatisfaction and, in this background, the breasts can lead to low levels of self-confidence and self-esteem, which might affect sexuality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five women with macromastia and their partners were evaluated for their sexual function and surgery satisfaction before and 6 months following reduction mammaplasty. Physical status and sexual satisfaction were assessed using a questionnaire. In addition, the sexual function of the women and their partners was evaluated using the Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). RESULT: There was a significant improvement in the mean IFSF and IIEF scores after surgery in both patients and their partners. In addition, patients expressed high levels of satisfaction with the results of surgery in terms of physical and psychological scores. CONCLUSION: Reduction breast surgery has a positive impact on the health status and psychological function as well as on the sexual activity of patients and their partners.

Impact of reduction mammoplasty on the quality of life of obese patients suffering from symptomatic macromastia: A descriptive cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although reduction mammoplasty (RM) is an effective and efficient treatment for symptomatic macromastia, overweight and obese patients who request this treatment are frequently rejected because of selection criteria based on the body mass index. Scientific evidence is inconclusive regarding the increased postoperative complications in obese patients undergoing RM, and there is a lack of adequately designed studies examining the impact of RM on the quality of life of this group of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive cohort study was performed on 37 consecutive obese patients (body mass index > 30 kg/m(2)) undergoing bilateral RM for symptomatic macromastia. Short Form SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaires were completed at interviews a week before surgery and 6 and 18 months after surgery. In addition, 37 women of matching ages, who were companions of patients hospitalized at our short-stay surgery unit, were used as a control group for comparison. Significant differences between repeated measurements on a single sample were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. To evaluate these changes, we used effect size by computing Hedges' g corrected. RESULTS: The preoperative SF-36 physical component score was significantly lower than the control group's score (40 vs. 53, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mental component score (45 vs. 49, p = 0.210). Postoperative SF-36 scores were increased with a normalizing effect, as 18 months after surgery only the body pain domain scored lower than the control group scores. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, obese women with symptomatic macromastia undergoing RM exhibited increased quality of life, and this improvement was maintained over time. THERAPY: Level III Evidence.

Effect of Reduction Mammaplasty on Sexual Activity.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of reduction mammaplasty operation on sexual functions of the patients with macromastia and of their partners. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with macromastia and their partners were assessed for their sexual function before and 6 months after reduction mammaplasty. Sexual function of the women and their partners were evaluated using the Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), respectively. Controls (n = 33) were chosen from healthy hospital staff and their partners. Preoperative and postoperative scores were statistically compared with the controls' scores by using Student t test. Also, preoperative and postoperative scores were compared by using paired t test. RESULTS: The mean of age and body mass index of the women and their partners in the patient and control group were similar (P = 0.07). Before the operation, the mean of IFSF scores in the patient and control group were 22.75 (3.45) and 27.28 (5.05), respectively (P < 0.001). After the operation, the mean of IFSF scores in the patient group increased significantly to 27.67 (P < 0.001). The postoperative scores of all IFSF subscales except lubrication subscale were higher than the preoperative scores. Although there was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative IIEF-total scores, postoperative IIEF-erectile function and IIEF-intercourse satisfaction scores were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found that macromastia adversely affected female sexual function but reduction mammaplasty eliminated this adverse effect. We also found that the partners' erectile function and intercourse satisfaction reduced after the operation. This reduction may be due to psychological effects.

Sexual Function and Depression Outcomes Among Breast Hypertrophy Patients Undergoing Reduction Mammaplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The breasts are important symbols of femininity and sensuality. Alterations such as breast hypertrophy can affect several aspects of women's quality of life. Breast hypertrophy is a prevalent health condition, which is treated by reduction mammaplasty. The aim of the present study was to assess sexual function and depression outcomes among breast hypertrophy patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty. METHODS: Sixty breast hypertrophy patients were randomly allocated to a control group (CG) (n = 30) or a breast reduction group (BRG) (n = 30). The patients in the CG were assessed at the first appointment as well as 3 and 6 months later. The patients in the BRG were assessed preoperatively as well as 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Validated instruments, the Female Sexual Function Index and the Beck Depression Inventory, were used to assess sexual function and depression among the subjects. The results of these assessments were compared within and between groups. RESULTS: Twenty-seven and 29 patients in the CG and the BRG, respectively, completed the 6-month follow-up period. At baseline, the groups did not differ significantly with regard to the main demographic data. In the initial assessment, the groups did not differ significantly with regard to Female Sexual Function Index or Beck Depression Inventory scores. Compared with the CG, the BRG reported better sexual function 3 (P = 0.015) and 6 (P = 0.009) months postoperatively. Regarding depression scores, the reduction mammaplasty group had better results 6 months postoperatively (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction mammaplasty positively affected sexual function and depression levels in breast hypertrophy patients.