title: Prospective outcome study of 106 cases of vertical mastopexy, augmentation/mastopexy, and breast reduction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patient-reported data, including effects on patient satisfaction and quality of life, have not been rigorously studied in women treated with mastopexy and augmentation/mastopexy. This prospective outcome study evaluates and compares mastopexy (n=36), augmentation/mastopexy (n=47), and reduction (n=20) from the patient's perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 5-year period, 125 consecutive women underwent vertical mammaplasties incorporating a medial pedicle. In-person interviews were conducted among 106 women at least 1 month after surgery (response rate, 84.8%). Questions were asked in six categories: patient data, indications, recovery, results, complications, and psychological effects. A follow-up study examined the incidence of subjective nipple numbness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean pain rating was 4.5 on a 1-10 scale. Both mastopexy (resection weight<300 g per breast) and reduction patients reported a significant reduction in physical symptoms after surgery (p<0.001). The mean result rating was 9.0 n a scale of 1-10. Expectations were met or exceeded in 91.5% of augmentation/mastopexy patients. The reported complication rate was 15.1%. The incidence of persistent nipple numbness was 10.6%. All procedures reduced breast self-consciousness (p<0.001). A correlation was found between the result rating and a lack of complications (p=0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All three breast procedures provide a high level of patient satisfaction (94.3%), improved self-esteem (89.3%), and improved quality of life (69.5%). Mastopexy patients report a symptomatic benefit in addition to correction of ptosis. Vertical augmentation/mastopexy provides a high level of patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Swanson Center, 11413 Ash Street, Leawood, KS 66211, USA. eswanson@swansoncenter.com
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Swanson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D019928:Breast Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult