TITLE:
A Long Term Review of Surgically Treated Enlarged Breasts
AUTHORS:
Pius Agbenorku
KEYWORDS:
Breast Hypertrophy; Reduction Mammaplasty; Sub-Cutaneous Mastectomy; Quality of Life; Satisfaction
JOURNAL NAME:
Modern Plastic Surgery,
Vol.3 No.4,
September
9,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Introduction: Breast hypertrophy (excessive enlargement of breast), a condition though rare,
is well pronounced in some females. Surgery either by reduction mammaplasty or
sub-cutaneous mastectomy is often employed in treatment of this condition. Aim: This study seeks to find out the
long term level of satisfaction of the surgery on these persons after about 10 - 12 years after treatment. Materials and Methods: From January 1994 to December 2000, the Komfo Anokye
Teaching Hospital (KATH) carried out surgeries on 43 females who presented with
several degrees of breast hypertrophy. Patients were asked to answer questionnaires
on their condition pre-operatively and post-operatively during the long term
review process. Results: Thirty-four
(79.1%) patients out of the 43 were available for the review with the patients
stating there was much (100%) improvement in terms of the pain they felt in the
neck, upper and lower back regions. There was no re-occurrence of the condition
in any of the patients; 29 (85.3%) stated they were satisfied and that their new breast size(s)
was/were excellent for them. Conclusion: The pre-operative complications experienced by these patients were resolved
hence this surgical procedure was good and the quality of life of these persons
had been improved.