Reduction mammaplasty and the use of dextran against thromboembolism

A retrospective study was conducted on 98 consecutive patients who had reduction mammaplasty done by different techniques during 1995, to find out the effect of dextran 70 on operative blood loss and postoperative complications. The most common procedure was reduction with a laterally based flap (n = 67) followed by a Lejour vertical mammaplasty (n = 15) and a medially based flap (n = 12). Four had other operations. Dextran 70 was given peroperatively to 64 patients and their median (range) blood loss was 350 (30-1000) ml and drainage volume 80 (10-465) ml. In 33 patients not treated with dextran 70 the median (range) blood loss was 200 (25-650) ml and the drainage volume 40 (0-115) ml. Ten patients developed major complications and 16 minor complications and there was no difference in the complication rate between those given dextran 70 (18/64, 28%) and those who were not (8/33, 24%), p = 0.8. Complications were no more common in smokers, overweight patients or those whose breasts were reduced by more than 1500 g, but there was a tendency to find more complications after the Lejour vertical mammaplasty. In conclusion, the study shows that patients undergoing mammaplasty and given Dextran 70 have an acceptable blood loss and drainage. In patients with a high risk of developing thromboembolism there is a need for a prophylactic agent and this study shows that dextran 70 may safely be used during reduction mammaplasty.