Multilevel Breast Reduction: A Retrospective Study of 338 Breast Reduction Surgeries

Abstract

Background: Aesthetic breast reduction is a common plastic surgery procedure with the potential for considerable improvement of the patient's quality of life in addition to its aesthetic value. Many different approaches have been described for breast reduction to improve upon previous techniques in terms of scarring, nipple position, amount of breast tissue excised, shape, and longevity of the results. However, medium size resections in ptotic and wide breasts are difficult to treat using both the most common inferior pedicle wise procedure and the various vertical scar techniques. Methods: A retrospective study of 338 consecutive bilateral breast reduction patients between January of 2010 and January of 2018 at a single center by a single surgeon using a vertical scar technique. Demographic and postoperative outcome data were collected and evaluated. Results: Patient satisfaction with the results was high. Complication rates were comparable or lower than previously published series. Major complications requiring revision surgery: 3 (0.8%) hematomas; minor complications: 68 (20%) cases of superficial dehiscence; 12 (3.5%) superficial surgical site infections; 11 (3.2%) seromas; 4 (1.2%) fat necrosis; and 1 (0.2%) partial areola necrosis. Conclusion: The Borenstein Breast Reduction technique aims to recreate the breast mound support from the "bottom up" facilitating long-lasting results and high patient satisfaction rates. This approach can be helpful in all breast reductions and is most effective in wide ptotic breasts.