Observations Concerning the Match between Breast Implant Dimensions, Breast Morphometry, and a Patient-reported Outcome

Abstract

Background: Outcome studies in breast augmentation do not assess how an implant has been matched to the soft tissue envelope. The study hypothesis is that there is a relationship between breast and implant dimensions and the subjective outcome of patient satisfaction. Methods: In a study of patients undergoing subfascial breast augmentation (n = 341), morphometric measurements and a postsurgical survey of satisfaction with breast size were performed 3 months postoperatively. A ratio empirically derived from breast width, implant width, and projection (Rib) was calculated in patients who wished to have smaller, bigger, or no change in their implant size. Results: 76% were content with breast size, 16.7% wished to be larger, and 7.3% wished to be smaller. Rib differed between groups who did not want to change size (n = 259, mean = 5.8, SD = 0.9), those who wished to be bigger (n = 57, mean = 5.6, SD = 1.1), and those who wished to be smaller (n = 25, mean = 5.3, SD = 1.3, H(341) = 14.0, P < 0.01). Rib differed between groups whose result was as expected (mean = 5.6, SD = 0.9), compared with those who expected to be bigger (mean = 5.4, SD = 1.2) or who expected a smaller outcome (mean = 5.6 SD = 1.0, H(341) = 18.3, P < 0.01). Conclusions: These data provide an objective measurement by which studies concerning breast augmentation can be reported and compared. The method may guide standardization of clinical research regarding breast implant surgery.