Vertical mammaplasty: Postoperative changes, complications and patient evaluation

The aim of the present study was to investigate postoperative changes after vertical mammaplasty. Between 2002 and 2005, 72 consecutive patients aged 15 to 69 years with an average weight of 72 kg underwent bilateral vertical mammaplasty. Forty-two patients attended the regular follow-up one week, four weeks, three months, six months and one year after the operation. Nipple diameter, notch-to-nipple distance, scar length and the number of skin folds along the vertical scar were evaluated. Complications were recorded during the entire follow-up period. A questionnaire was used to document patient satisfaction 12 months after the operation. The main changes took place during the first three months after surgery. Nipple diameter showed an average increase of 28% after surgery, and the notch-to-nipple distance increased by an average of 17% over the intraoperative value. The average increase of the scar length after one year was 22%. The rate of complications was low, and patient satisfaction was high.