title: The impact of breast reduction surgery on the vertebral column.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although many studies have shown that breast reduction surgery is effective in reducing neck, back, and lumbar pain, most of these studies are subjective evaluations that usually provide data through pain scales. This study was undertaken to objectively evaluate the radiologic effects of breast reduction on the vertebral column.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients who underwent breast reduction surgery were included in the study. A lateral thoracolumbar radiograph was taken before and 3 months after surgery for each patient. The thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and sacral inclination angles were measured for each radiograph. The impact of breast reduction surgery on posture was evaluated according to the comparison of these angles before and after surgery. The effect of age, body mass index, and the total amount of removed tissue was also taken into account, and the relationship between these parameters and their effects on the change in preoperative and postoperative angle measurements were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant decrease in all 3 angles after breast reduction surgery. A significant correlation was determined between body mass index and the total amount of removed tissue on the change in angle measurements, whereas a definite relationship was not observed between the angles and the patient's age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has shown the objective impact that breast reduction surgery has on the vertebral column. Although the symptomatic relief of breast reduction surgery on the musculoskeletal system is widely accepted, the objective assessment of this relief will be beneficial in persuading health insurance companies and those who think of this surgery as a purely aesthetic procedure.
authors.affiliation: MD, Department of Plastic Surgery, Gazi University Hospital, 14th floor, Besevler 06500, Ankara, Turkey. kemaldoctor@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Findikcioglu
authors.forename: Fulya
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Findikcioglu
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bulam
authors.forename: Billur
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sezgin
authors.forename: Selahattin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozmen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016462:Mammaplasty; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011187:Posture; D011859:Radiography; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*