The outcome of reduction mammaplasty remains stable at 2-5 years' follow-up: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
Several randomised studies have proved the effectiveness of reduction mammaplasty in short-term follow-up. However, medium-term prospective follow-up studies are rare. Therefore, a prospective study was conducted to assess the medium-term results and to see whether there are any changes in the intervention effect during the first years.


METHODS
A total of 73 patients were operated on between January 2005 and March 2007. Patients completed the 15D health-related quality-of-life questionnaire, The Finnish Breast-Associated Symptoms (FBAS) questionnaire and Raitasalo's modification of the short form of the Beck Depression Inventory (RBDI). In July 2009, follow-up data was collected by postal mail.


RESULTS
As many as 62 patients (85%) agreed to participate in the study and returned the follow-up data. Non-responders did not differ from responders in baseline characteristics. Mean follow-up time was 4.0 years (range, 2.3-4.6). Preoperatively, patients had significantly inferior quality of life when compared with the age-standardised population (p < 0.001). This health burden was removed after reduction mammaplasty. At follow-up, patients had significantly better quality of life, less breast-associated symptoms, less depression and anxiety and better self-esteem when compared with the preoperative situation (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Reduction mammaplasty results in remarkable alleviation in breast-associated and psychological symptoms, and improvement in quality of life. This remains clearly significant and stable at 2-5 years follow-up.
Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, PO Box 266, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. kai.saariniemi@helsinki.fi
Kai M M
KM
Saariniemi
Hannu O M
HO
Kuokkanen
Erkki J
EJ
Tukiainen
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome