Impact of sternal notch-to-nipple distance and resection weight asymmetry on complication rates and patient reported outcomes in reduction mammaplasty

Abstract

While there are numerous predictive models for estimating resection weight, their accuracy may not be strong. Through institutional data of patients who received reduction mammaplasty, this study demonstrates that preoperative sternal notch-to-nipple distance is not an optimal predictive factor for differences in final resection weight, complication rates, and patient reported outcomes. Our results showed that there is a weak correlation between preoperative sternal notch to nipple asymmetry and final resection weight asymmetry. Additionally, significant breast asymmetry is not tied to an increase in complication rates or poorer patient reported outcomes. There is an indication to reconsider the use of such absolute measures for determining who may benefit from reduction mammaplasty.

Keywords: BREAST-Q; Breast asymmetry; Patient-reported outcomes; Reduction mammaplasty; Resection weight; Sternal notch to nipple distance.