[Mental and somatic findings after subcutaneous mastectomy and augmentation (author's transl)]

20 women were subjected to clinical follow-ups after subcutaneous mastectomy and augmentation graft, the psycho-social consequences being investigated by means of a semi-structured interview and psychodiagnostic tests. With an average dwelling time of the prostheses of 22.6 months, cosmetic results were rated very good or good in 41.7% only of the cases from an objective viewpoint. However, the patients themselves arrived at a much more favourable subjective evaluation. All women complained of disturbed sensitivity. About one-half of the patients experienced pain as well as a feeling of tension in the breast. In 4 women there was also restricted mobility of the shoulder joint. The women did not feel impaired regarding their social activities, after having overcome an initial feeling of uncertainty. General sexual enjoyment, however, was definitely impaired. With one exception, none of the couples included the operated breast in the sexual foreplay.