The outcome of reduction mammaplasty remains stable at 2-5 years' follow-up: a prospective study

Several randomised studies have proved the effectiveness of reduction mammaplasty in short-term follow-up. However, medium-term prospective follow-up studies are rare. Therefore, a prospective study was conducted to assess the medium-term results and to see whether there are any changes in the intervention effect during the first years.

A total of 73 patients were operated on between January 2005 and March 2007. Patients completed the 15D health-related quality-of-life questionnaire, The Finnish Breast-Associated Symptoms (FBAS) questionnaire and Raitasalo's modification of the short form of the Beck Depression Inventory (RBDI). In July 2009, follow-up data was collected by postal mail.

As many as 62 patients (85%) agreed to participate in the study and returned the follow-up data. Non-responders did not differ from responders in baseline characteristics. Mean follow-up time was 4.0 years (range, 2.3-4.6). Preoperatively, patients had significantly inferior quality of life when compared with the age-standardised population (p < 0.001). This health burden was removed after reduction mammaplasty. At follow-up, patients had significantly better quality of life, less breast-associated symptoms, less depression and anxiety and better self-esteem when compared with the preoperative situation (p < 0.001).

Reduction mammaplasty results in remarkable alleviation in breast-associated and psychological symptoms, and improvement in quality of life. This remains clearly significant and stable at 2-5 years follow-up.