Newswise — October 29, 2019 – Women who underwent breast reduction surgery before age 25 continue to report lasting benefits 10 to 30 years following the procedure, according to a study in the November issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

"Young reduction mammaplasty patients experience excellent breast-related quality of life decades after surgery," report Kate B. Krucoff, MD, and coauthors. The study finds that some long-term outcomes after breast reduction surgery – including sexual well-being and satisfaction with breasts – are even higher than in women who have never had breast surgery.

According to the 2018 American Society of Plastic Surgeons annual statistics report, there were 43,591 breast reduction procedures last year—a number that’s held steady since the Society began tracking the operation in 2011.

The study included women who were younger than 25 when they underwent breast reduction surgery between 1980 and 2003. The quality of life (QoL) outcomes were evaluated using a validated questionnaire, the BREAST‑Q©. Thirty-seven women completed the questionnaire. All women in the study were followed up for at least 10 years; median follow-up was 21 years, with a maximum of 32 years.

"Overall, participants demonstrated high satisfaction and well-being," Kate B. Krucoff, MD, and coauthors write. The study focused on four BREAST‑Q outcomes, all scored on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. For two outcomes, scores were significantly higher for women who underwent breast reduction at a young age, compared to a normative group of women who never had breast surgery. Average score for satisfaction with breasts was 67 for women who underwent breast reduction, compared to 57 in the normative group. Women who underwent breast reduction also gave higher ratings for sexual well-being: 72 versus 55.

Women who underwent breast reduction also had good scores for psychosocial well-being (76 out of 100) and physical well-being (81 out of 100). These scores were similar to the normative group.

Breast reduction has demonstrated benefits in reducing symptoms (such as back and neck pain) and improving psychological well-being (such as poor body image and low self-esteem) in women with overlarge breasts. "Although young patients experience many of the same symptoms as adults, controversy exists around performing reduction mammaplasty in a young patient population," Dr. Krucoff and colleagues write. The new report is one of the longest follow-up studies of young reduction mammaplasty patients, and the first to use the validated BREAST‑Q questionnaire.

The results show enduring benefits in a group of women who underwent breast reduction before age 25. Benefits persisted even though the women likely underwent hormonal changes affecting the breast, including pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. "Thus, avoiding or delaying reduction mammaplasty in young patients may prevent them from achieving lasting improvements in satisfaction and well-being," the researchers add.

The study also has implications for insurance coverage and other obstacles to undergoing breast reduction surgery, especially in younger women. Dr. Krucoff and coauthors conclude, "Surgeons and third-party payers should be aware of these data and advocate for young patients to gain access to care."

Click here to read "Breast-Related Quality of Life in Young Reduction Mammaplasty Patients: A Long-Term Follow-Up Using the BREAST-Q"

DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000006117

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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.

About Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

For more than 70 years, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® (http://www.prsjournal.com/) has been the one consistently excellent reference for every specialist who uses plastic surgery techniques or works in conjunction with a plastic surgeon. The official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® brings subscribers up-to-the-minute reports on the latest techniques and follow-up for all areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including breast reconstruction, experimental studies, maxillofacial reconstruction, hand and microsurgery, burn repair and cosmetic surgery, as well as news on medico-legal issues.

 About ASPS

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 7,000 physician members, the society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery