Reduction Mammoplasty for Macromastia: Our Experience Using the Inferior Pedicle with Inverted-T Skin Resection

Macromastia is a major reason why women seek for breast reduction especially when there are symptoms. Breast reduction is an uncommon procedure in our environment and this is a report of our experience with inferior pedicle with an inverted-T skin resection.

This is a report of breast reductions using the inferior pedicle with an inverted-T skin resection approach that were carried out between 2004 and 2022. The information that was retrieved from the case notes were age, marital status, parity, last child birth, family history of breast enlargement, presenting features, height, weight, the weight of tissue excised, and complications. The data obtained were then entered into the SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp.) software and analysed.

Seventeen women were managed with an age range of 16-50 years and a mean of 31.06 ± 9.66 years. The most common features at presentation were heavy weight around the chest, backache, shoulder pain, no appropriate brassiere with low self-esteem and self-confidence. Ten had skin changes and recurrent rashes over the breast, whereas four complained of grooves with skin changes. The weight of excised breast tissue ranged from 0.2 to 5.5 kg with an average of 2.18 ± 1.28 kg for the right and 2.05 ± 1.00 kg for the left breast. All except one patient had blood transfusion. The common complications were delayed wound healing (47%) followed by partial wound dehiscence (17.6%), and flap necrosis (11.8%). Except for those with flap necrosis the wounds healed with some having broad scars.

Patients for breast reduction are mainly due to the symptoms and signs with the associated large breast. The inferior pedicle with inverted-T skin resection is a valuable technique with a very good outcome. To improve access to breast reduction, there is the need to enhance awareness through advocacy using women groups and health education.