Analysis of satisfaction after breast reduction comparing vertical scar versus inverted T-shaped technique using the Breast-Q questionnaire. Is patient satisfaction influenced by the amount of tissue removed?

[BACKGROUND] Breast reduction is a procedure with a high rate of patient satisfaction. Many techniques can be used for this type of surgery; patient satisfaction can vary from one technique to another. The main aim of this study was to use Breast-Q for initial evaluation of patient satisfaction after breast reduction by either vertical or inverted-T technique and then determine if the quantity of breast tissue removed had any influence on patient satisfaction.

[METHODS] Eighty-four out of 288 patients operated on between 2000 and 2013 anonymously completed the post-operative version of Breast-Q Reduction/Mastopexy. Inverted T technique: 55 patients; vertical technique: 29 patients. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

[RESULTS] Comparison of mean scores of all Breast-Q scales showed no significant differences between the two techniques. With regard to satisfaction and quantity of removed tissue, statistically significant differences were observed in some scales, with positive correlations in the inverted T and negative correlations in the vertical technique, as more tissue was removed. Back pain is associated with inverted T technique as more tissue was removed.

[CONCLUSIONS] Both techniques were similar regarding satisfaction. In this study, patients with large resection and high BMI more often had the inverted T technique and were just as happy as those with smaller resections, who more often had the vertical techniques.