Achieving a predictable 24-hour return to normal activities after breast augmentation: part I. Refining practices by using motion and time study principles

The purpose of this study was to develop techniques to predictably return patients receiving inframammary and axillary, subpectoral breast augmentation to full normal activities within 24 hours of their primary breast augmentation. This 5-year study applies motion and time study principles to refine practices in augmentation mammaplasty to reduce perioperative morbidity and shorten patient recovery. Retrospective data for operative times, medications administered, recovery times, times to discharge, and time to return to normal activities were collected from patient chart reviews and patient contacts from 1982 to 1984 (group 1, n = 16, axillary partial retropectoral augmentations) and 1990 (group 2, n = 16, inframammary partial retropectoral augmentations). Videotapes from operative procedures of groups 1 and 2 were analyzed with macromotion and micromotion study principles, and tables of events were formulated for all operating room personnel, detailing every step of each function they performed. The events tables were then refined into detailed scripts by using motion and time study principles. Scripts were used for surgeon and personnel training and for reference during operative procedures. Extensive changes in all aspects of patient care, including patient education, preparation, operative planning, implant selection, anesthesia techniques, surgical techniques, instrumentation, and postoperative care derived from data and videotape studies of patients in groups 1 and 2 were then applied to a third group of patients (group 3), collecting prospective data over a 3-year period (1998 to 2000). Group 3 (n = 627) data included timed events, medications, and time to return to normal activities. Patients in group 3 had substantially shorter anesthesia, operation, and postanesthesia care unit times and time to discharge and time to return to normal activities compared with groups 1 and 2. Of the patients in group 3, 96 percent were able to return to normal activities, lift their arms above their heads, lift normal-weight objects, and drive their car without any narcotic medications, drains, bandages, special bras, or other adjunctive treatments within 24 hours after their partial retropectoral breast augmentation. Applying motion and time study principles to analysis and refinement of surgeon and personnel actions and surgical techniques resulted in a substantial reduction in perioperative morbidity and a simpler, shorter 24-hour return to normal activities without intercostal blocks, narcotic pain medications, drains, bandages, or other adjunctive devices in 96 percent of 627 augmentation patients.