Reduction mammaplasty with the inferior pedicle technique: early and late complications in 371 patients

A review of reduction mammaplasties with the inferior pedicle technique in 371 patients over 10 years is presented and the complications associated with this particular technique are discussed. The mean age was 33.1 years (range 15–67), the average preoperative sternal notch to nipple distance was 30.4 cm (range 21–43), the mean breast tissue resected was 870 g per breast (range 250–1960) and the mean operating time was 3.1 hours (range 2.5–4). The overall complication rate was 11.4%. The incidence of specific complications in our series was: haematoma 0.3%, nipple and/or pedicle necrosis 0.8%, wound dehiscence 4.6%, fat necrosis 0.8%, carcinoma 0.5%, loss of sensitivity of the nipple 1.3%, hypertrophic scars 3.3%, dermoid cysts 0.3% and marked lower fullness 0.3%. 72% of the patients that became pregnant were able to lactate.