Is Time a Factor in Quality of Life Improvement Following Breast Reduction?

BACKGROUND: Macromastia (breast hypertrophy) has significant influence on patients' quality of life (QoL), therefore surgical treatment has a clear medical benefit. Rapid improvements in musculoskeletal complaints are being reported long before when final aesthetic results are traditionally evaluated.

OBJECTIVES: The study aim is to use the RAND Health Status Survey, a modified validated short-form-36, to analyze patient QoL after breast reduction, and examine whether QoL changes as a function of time post operation.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, included were 50 consecutive selected female patients who underwent breast reduction surgery during January 2016 - December 2019, by a single surgeon using the same technique. Changes in QoL were reported based on a modified SF-36 survey, with scores standardized according to the mean of the general population. Time intervals between the operations and surveys were recorded.

RESULTS: The patients were divided into three categories according to time since their operation (˂3 months, 3-12 months and ˃12 months), and assessed pre- and post-operatively. Average amount of breast tissue removed was 479.97±159.38 grams per breast. Mean follow-up time was 15.02±14.3 months. All patients were satisfied with their new breasts' shapes and none reported to have suffered major complications postoperatively. For all three groups, patients' scores in the SF36 survey post- compared to pre-operation indicated improvement unrelated to time elapsed from operation.

CONCLUSIONS: Breast reduction improves symptoms and well-being, unrelated to amount of tissue removed nor to time elapsed post-surgery. This improvement is rapid and may lead to better coverage from medical insurance providers.