title: The impact of reduction mammaplasty on breast sensation: an analysis of multiple surgical techniques.
abstract: Our prospective clinical trial collected sensory data using a computerized pressure-specified sensory device comparing 4 procedures for reduction mammaplasty. A total of 48 patients were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks (n = 42), 6 months (n = 15), and 1 year (n = 24) postoperatively. The findings of our study showed pressure sensitivity for women <43 years of age improved by pressure-specified sensory device assessment; whereas, outcome data merely indicated return to baseline in pressure sensitivity for women ≥ 43 years of age. Improved sensitivities for moving and static pressures were found in patients receiving vertical or inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasties. Reductions based on superior pedicles exhibited sensory loss as compared with baseline measurements while those receiving free nipple grafts showed negligible change. Moving and static sensation showed differential return after breast reduction irrespective of the specific surgical approach but sensation was uniquely conserved for the nipple. In the total cohort, the type of breast reduction procedure did not produce significant differences in breast sensation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. marcia.spear@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Marcia E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Spear
authors.forename: Lillian B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Nanney
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Rafe
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Donahue
authors.forename: Karen Meier
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Jason J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wendel
authors.forename: Blair
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Summit
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: R Bruce
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Shack
authors.forename: Kevin F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Hagan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014110:Touch; D055815:Young Adult