title: The effect of body mass index and wound irrigation on outcome after bilateral breast reduction.
abstract: Thirty patients undergoing bilateral breast reduction by inferior pedicle technique were entered into a prospective, randomized study to determine the effect of unilateral saline wound irrigation and body mass index (BMI) on outcome. Each patient was assessed at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery for wound dehiscence, infection, fat necrosis, and breast comfort by means of a visual analog pain score. The mean patient age was 33 years; mean weight, 67.7 kg; mean BMI, 26.3; and mean weight of breast tissue excised per patient, 1270 g. In 60 breasts there were 13 cases of minor wound breakdown, all of which had healed by 8 weeks postoperatively. Wound irrigation had no significant effect on the rate of T-junction breakdown or on postoperative pain. BMI was associated significantly with wound breakdown (BMI > 26.3, 33% wound breakdown rate; BMI < 26.3, 10% wound breakdown rate; P < 0.05, chi2 test). Patients with a high BMI are more likely to have delayed healing after breast reduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 5JQ, UK.
authors.forename: Alastair J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Platt
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baguley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000517:prevention & control; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology