Inverted-T versus vertical scar breast reduction: one surgeon's 5-year experience with consecutive patients.

[BACKGROUND] Breast reduction is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures. Many approaches to breast reduction have been described, including inverted-T and vertical scar techniques and various types of dermoglandular pedicle for the nipple.

[OBJECTIVE] This study compares the outcomes of patients undergoing vertical scar medial pedicle versus inferior pedicle inverted-T scar breast reduction by a single surgeon.

[METHODS] Ninety-five consecutive patients who had undergone inverted-T scar breast reduction between January 2002 and July 2005 were compared with 96 consecutive patients undergoing vertical scar breast reduction between September 2005 and August 2007. Patient age, body mass index (BMI), resection weight, complications, and surgical revision rates were compared.

[RESULTS] Mean age, BMI, and resection weight were comparable in both groups. The rates of major complications of both groups were equal (24%). There was a higher hematoma rate in the vertical series (8 vs 3; P < .05). The inverted-T series was complicated by more wound dehiscence (37 vs 11; P < .05), surgical site infections (16 vs 8; P < .05), and involved a longer operative time (102 minutes vs 83 minutes; P < .05). There was a higher scar revision rate in the inverted-T series (11 vs 32; P < .05).

[CONCLUSIONS] Vertical scar breast reduction is associated with a major complication profile similar to that for inverted-T scar breast reduction with a shorter operative time and fewer scar revisions. There were fewer minor complications with the vertical series, and it is safe and easy to adopt by the surgeon.