Conversion from weight to volume of mastectomy specimen: Convenient equations

Accurate restoration of the volume lost during breast removal is the key to achieve beautiful, symmetric breasts. This study aimed to devise a simpler and more accurate method for measuring breast tissue volume by studying the relationship between weight and volume of the excised tissue according to density. Mammograms of 276 women who were advised to undergo breast reconstruction surgery were divided into 4 different groups according to tissue densities. The correlation between weight and volume was studied for each group. The regression equations are as follows: 1st group: V = 1.218 × W+7.45 (V: volume, W: weight). 2nd group: V = 1.036 × W + 10.36. 3rd group: V = 0.969 × W-7.47. 4th group: V = 0.871 × W-14.13. These equations will be useful for reconstruction of natural-appearing and symmetric breasts following mastectomy.