Late sequelae of breast reduction

Abstract

Reduction mammoplasty has evolved as a procedure of necessity for the treatment of mammary hypertrophy or mammary gigantism. Either condition is the cause of physical discomfort in the over 30 population of women and additional severe psychological distress in females of teenage and prepregnancy years. Several techniques are available; however the long-term surgical goals are common to all: (a) reduce the volume and hence the symptoms, (b) preserve the functionality; i.e., breast-feeding, (c) create a desirable appearance, (d) produce acceptable scars, (e) minimize long-term sequelae. Although the variety of surgical alternatives mostly achieves the first three goals, it behooves the plastic surgeon to be aware of the latter as he or she communicates the procedure to the candidate patient. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.