Correlation between complication rate and tissue resection volume in inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasty: a retrospective study.

[BACKGROUND] The inferior pedicle technique is the most common breast reduction procedure performed in the United States today. Traditionally, it has been recommended that pedicle techniques not be used for large volume breast reduction (>1000 gm/breast), as the complication rate may be unacceptably high.

[OBJECTIVE] We conducted a retrospective study to determine whether any correlation could be found between complication rate and tissue resection volume in breast reduction procedures when the inferior pedicle technique was used.

[METHODS] One hundred twenty-two patients underwent inferior-pedicle reduction mammaplasty by a single surgeon between January 1998 and December 2001. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the average quantity of tissue resection: 500- to 1000-gm breast reduction, and >1000-gm breast reduction. Complications were analyzed. Rates in each group were determined and assessed for statistical significance.

[RESULTS] The average reduction was 673 gm/breast (range, 502-964 gm) in the small volume group (n = 73), and 1326 gm/breast (range, 1005-2175 gm) in the large-volume group (n = 49). Twenty-nine complications occurred. No patient experienced more than 1 complication. Eight different complications were identified. Hypertrophic scarring was most common, occurring in 11 patients. One major complication, an expanding hematoma, occurred. There were no cases of nipple-areolar complex or skin flap necrosis. The overall complication rate was 23.7%. There were 18 complications in the >1000-gm group (24.6%) and 11 complications in the <1000-gm group (22.4%). This difference was not statistically significant (P = .77).

[CONCLUSIONS] The inferior pedicle technique can be safely used in reduction mammaplasty for resection volume exceeding 1000 gm/breast, without added complications.