Prolactin secretion in women after plastic breast augmentation and reduction

Prolactin secretion in women undergoing augmentation and reduction mammaplasties was studied by determining serum prolactin concentrations preoperatively, intraoperatively, and for one year postoperatively. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone tests for prolactin secretion were performed in a small subgroup of these patients. The subjects were 7 women undergoing reduction mammaplasty, 13 women undergoing augmentation mammaplasty, and 14 normal control women. Short-term (up to three days postoperatively) but not long-term changes in prolactin secretion were identified. Persistent hyperprolactinemia does not appear to be a common complication of plastic breast operations.