Reduction mammaplasty: analysis of patients' weight, resection weights, and late complications

The medical records of 291 patients who had undergone reduction mammaplasty were analysed. A total of 216 (74%) of the women were overweight and 67 (23%) to such a degree that according to our policy they should not have been candidates for operation. Most of the patients were young-199 (68%) were less than 40 years old and 110 (38%) were less than 25 years old. Total bilateral resection weights in many younger women were quite low. Of the 199 patients less than 40 years old 64 (32%) had less than 500 g total bilateral resection weight whereas 85 (92%) of the women 40 years old or more had resections of more than 500 g. Late complications were few-the rate of infection was similar in all weight groups. Fat and nipple necrosis-although rare-were more likely to occur in the obese and in patients over 30 years old.