Vertical Breast Reduction Mammaplasty in the Adolescent Population

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Adolescent Medicine
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Limited data exists on perioperative complications of reduction mammaplasty in adolescents, particularly using the vertical reduction technique.
• Adult studies describe these complications, but adolescent-specific outcomes are underrepresented in literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and complication rates of vertical breast reduction in the adolescent population.
• To compare adolescent outcomes with existing adult data.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of patients under 18 years old undergoing bilateral breast reduction with a vertical pattern skin resection and superomedial pedicle.
• Inclusion criteria required at least 30 days of postoperative follow-up.
• Data collected from 2012 to 2023 at a tertiary care institution.

Main Results:

• Forty-eight adolescent patients (mean age 16.5 years) were included, with a median follow-up of 58.5 days.
• A 25% complication rate was observed, primarily minor wound dehiscence (18.7%), bleeding/hematoma (6.2%), and minor infection (2.1%).
• No statistically significant difference in complication rates was found for large resections (≥1000g) or higher body mass index (BMI), though trends suggested increased risk.

Conclusions:

• The complication rate for vertical breast reduction in adolescents is comparable to adult rates, with all observed complications being minor and resolving without reoperation.
• The vertical reduction technique with a superomedial pedicle is a safe surgical option for adolescents.
• Larger tissue resection and elevated BMI may be associated with a trend toward increased complications in this population.