Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
03:07
Single-Port Robotic-assisted Transaxillary Breast-conserving Surgery: A Prospective, Single-arm, Non-randomized Phase IIa Clinical Trial
Published on: August 19, 2025
Risk factors for complications after breast reduction surgery
Richard Lewin1, Marie Göransson, Anna Elander
1Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery
|May 1, 2013
Summary
Breast reduction surgery complications are common, affecting 32% of patients. Key risk factors include longer nipple distance, larger specimen weight, smoking, and diabetes, necessitating careful preoperative assessment.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Surgical Outcomes
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Breast hypertrophy causes physical and psychosocial distress.
- Breast reduction surgery aims to alleviate symptoms with minimal side-effects.
- Risk factors for postoperative complications are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify independent risk factors for complications after bilateral breast reduction.
- To inform preoperative patient evaluation and potentially reduce complication rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 512 women undergoing bilateral breast reduction.
- Analysis of medical records for complications within 30 days post-surgery.
- Statistical analysis to identify significant predictors of complications.
Main Results:
- 32% of patients experienced complications, most commonly surgical site infection (16%) and delayed wound healing (10%).
- Longer suprasternal notch to nipple distance increased infection and nipple necrosis risk.
- Larger resected specimen weight correlated with delayed healing and fat necrosis.
- Smoking doubled infection risk; diabetes increased areola necrosis risk.
Conclusions:
- Complications following breast reduction are frequent.
- Several independent risk factors (nipple distance, specimen weight, smoking, diabetes) predict complications.
- Careful preoperative assessment can help mitigate risks and improve patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Healing II: Complications
Complications during healing arise when tissue repair is altered by local or systemic factors. These changes involve abnormal collagen deposition, altered biomechanics, and reduced vascular supply, impairing restoration of normal structure and function.Loss of FunctionScar tissue differs significantly from the original tissue it replaces. In the skin, fibrosis lacks adnexal structures such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. Their absence reduces tactile sensitivity, impairs...
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
01:22Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
Vigilant monitoring for aneurysm rupture is essential for patients undergoing aortic surgery.Preoperative Nursing ManagementContinuously monitor the patient for manifestations of aneurysm rupture, such as pallor, weakness, tachycardia, hypotension, abdominal, back, groin, or periumbilical pain, changes in consciousness, and a pulsating abdominal mass. Regularly assess the patient's peripheral pulses.Instruct the patient to consume a clear liquid diet the day before surgery and administer...
01:28Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy may undergo a septal myectomy (Morrow procedure). This procedure involves excising a portion of the hypertrophied septum below the aortic valve using a heart-lung machine to improve blood flow through the LVOT. Effective preoperative and postoperative nursing management ensures successful patient outcomes, minimizes complications, and...
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Understanding the variety of primary symptoms and systemic complications that characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...