[Late results of reduction mammoplasty using the T or L incision]

Since January 1966, 1,390 reduction mammaplasty have been carried out at our clinic. 685 patients on whom we had operated were sent questionnaires containing the following questions: 1. Date of first appearance of the breast hypertrophy 2. Pre-operative complaints arising from too large breasts 3. Patient's post mammaplasty opinion of the breast shape and size. Answers were received from 532 Patients and the following conclusions may be drawn: To 1.: In the majority of cases, hypertrophy of the breasts occurred during puberty and following the first pregnancy. To 2.: Psychological disturbances caused by a too large breast were predominant. However, this was frequently combined with physical complaints. To 3.: Approx. 90% of our patients are satisfied with the post-operative results. Every second patient experiences some change in sensitivity in the region of the mammilli following the operation. Because the patients' post-operative judgment of the aesthetic result is closely correlated with scar tissue formation, we use the less noticeable L-cut in the case of gland resection under 200--300 g and the T-cut only in the case of extensive mammaplasty reduction operations.