Breast-Related Quality of Life in Young Reduction Mammaplasty Patients: A Long-Term Follow-Up Using the BREAST-Q

Background: Reduction mammaplasty is the most effective means of improving symptoms of macromastia. Although studies have shown lasting benefits in adult patients, there is a paucity of data that explore this topic in young patients. In this study, the long-term satisfaction and well-being of young reduction mammaplasty patients was assessed. Methods: A retrospective review was performed for all female patients younger than 25 years who underwent reduction mammaplasty performed by a single surgeon from 1980 to 2003. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, surgical details, and length of follow-up were recorded. Participants completed the postoperative version of the BREAST-Q Reduction module. Responses were scored on a scale of 0 to 100. Scores were summarized with descriptive statistics and compared to normative values. Results: Thirty-seven of 52 eligible participants completed the survey (response rate, 71.2 percent). Median age at surgery was 21 years (range, 12.4 to 24.6 years), and median follow-up was 21.4 years (range, 11.4 to 32.4 years). Overall, participants demonstrated high satisfaction and well-being. Mean Q-Scores for Satisfaction with Breasts and Sexual Well-being were significantly higher than normative values (p = 0.0012 and p < 0.0001, respectively), and were as follows: Satisfaction with Breasts, 66.6 +/- 16.5 (normative, 57 +/- 16); Psychosocial Well-being, 75.9 +/- 21.3 (normative, 68 +/- 1 9); Sexual Well-being, 72 +/- 18.2 (normative, 55 +/- 19); and Physical Well-being, 81.1 +/- 13.6 (normative, 76 +/- 11). Conclusions: Young reduction mammaplasty patients experience excellent breast-related quality of life decades after surgery. Compared with normative values, young reduction mammaplasty patients reported higher satisfaction with breasts and sexual well-being. Surgeons and third-party payers should be aware of these data and advocate for young patients to gain access to care.