title: Assessing Risk and Avoiding Complications in Breast Reduction.
abstract: Assessing risk and avoiding complications in breast reduction requires a meticulous history, systematic physical examination, management of expectations, and careful consideration and execution of operative technique. Attention should be paid to comorbidities. Shape, symmetry, contours, scar location, skin quality, nipple-areolar complex (NAC) shape, NAC position relative to inframammary fold, and NAC position relative to the volume of the breast should be evaluated. Because complications cannot always be anticipated, informed consent is a vital part of managing expectations. Intraoperative considerations include blood pressure control, limiting tension, delayed healing and tissue loss, and using applied anatomy to avoid malposition and asymmetry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 3550 Terrace Street, 6B Scaife Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Plastic Surgery, Magee Womens Hospital, 3380 Boulevard of Allies Suite 180, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Electronic address: shestakkc@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Kenneth C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Shestak
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 3550 Terrace Street, 6B Scaife Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Edward H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D009558:Nipples / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014945:Wound Healing
keywords: Asymmetry; Breast reduction; Complications; Delayed wound healing; Nipple areola complex (NAC) malposition; Preoperative assessment; Scar; Skin loss