Effects of bilateral breast reduction on peak airway pressure and pulmonary function tests

Surgical reduction due to breast size is not carried out merely for anesthetic concerns but also for such complaints as breast pain belonging to breast and skeletal system, back pain, neck pain, and intertriginous rashes. This study aims to investigate the effect of bilateral breast reduction surgery on maximum inspiratory pressure (Ppeak) and pulmonary functions. This study aims to investigate the effect of bilateral breast reduction surgery on pulmonary function test.

The study included 50 patients who would undergo bilateral breast reduction. Patients were divided into two groups: group II were given positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), which was not administered to the group I. Patients were checked in terms of maximum inspiratory pressures (Ppeak) before surgery, after first and second breasts were removed, and after surgery. Pulmonary function tests were carried out on preoperative, postoperative second and 14^th days. As RFT, forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1 (forced expiratory volume at the first second of FVC), FEV1/FVC and PEF (peak expiratory flow rate) were measured.

In both groups, demographic data were not found to statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). When compared both groups in terms of preoperative FVC and FEV1/FVC 14^th day, a significant increase was found on the 14^th day (P < 0.05). A significant difference was not established between groups in terms of Ppeak values (P > 0.05). Ppeak was found to be significantly higher in group I (22.28 ± 7.56) at the end of intubation compared with group II (19.04 ± 3.73) (P = 0.002, P < 0.05). Similarly, preoperative Ppeak was established to be 21.88 ± 7.51 in group I and it was significantly higher compared with group II (19.44 ± 4.08), (P = 0.002, P < 0.05). When compared Ppeak values at the end of intubation and before operation with entry values a statistically significant difference was not found in either group (P = 0.76, P > 0.05).

Some researchers reported a positive correlation between FVC, FEV1/FVC, and PEF along with the excised tissue mass. We established a positive correlation between the excised tissue weight and FVC and FEV1/FVC and that PEEP application did not have an impact on Ppeak.