The Influence of Obesity on Outcomes After Pediatric Reduction Mammaplasty: A Retrospective Analysis of the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric Database

Obesity Portends Increasing Rates of Superficial Surgical Site Infection Following Pediatric Reduction Mammoplasty: A National Surgical Database Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric reduction mammoplasty has become increasingly common due to the obesity epidemic. While obesity remains the leading cause of macromastia leading to surgery, it may also be a risk factor for postoperative complications. This study examines the safety of pediatric reduction mammoplasty and the risk of obesity for complications following this procedure.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatrics was queried to obtain all reduction mammoplasty cases from 2012 to 2020. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for confounders were carried out to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and rates of complication.

RESULTS

One thousand five hundred eighty-nine patients with the primary Current Procedural Terminology code 19318 were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 16.6 (SD, 1.1) years, and the mean BMI was 30.5 (SD, 6.2) lb/in2. Notably, 49% of the patients were obese, and 31% were overweight, while only 0.4% were underweight. Forty-three patients (2.7%) sustained a superficial surgical site infection (SSI) postoperatively. Other complications were less prevalent, including deep SSI (4 patients, 0.3%), dehiscence (11, 0.7%), reoperation (21, 1%), and readmission (26, 1.6%).Independent variables analyzed included age, sex, BMI, diabetes mellitus, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, and operative time, of which only BMI and ASA class were found to be significantly associated with SSI on univariate analysis. On multivariate logistic regression while controlling for ASA class and the false discovery rate, there was a strong association between increasing rates of superficial SSI and increasing BMI (unit odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, [1.01, 1.09]; P = 0.02). The OR indicates that for each 1-unit increase in BMI, the odds of SSI increase by 5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications following pediatric reduction mammoplasty are uncommon, demonstrating the safety of this procedure. High BMI was found to have a significantly higher risk for superficial SSI. Increased caution and infection prophylaxis should be taken when performing this operation on obese patients.

Use of Absorbable Dermal Staples in Bilateral Breast Reduction Surgery: Effects on Operative Times, Surgical Outcomes, and Procedure Charges

BACKGROUND

Use of the absorbable deep dermal stapler in wound closure has become more common in plastic surgery because of its possible reduction in operative times and subsequent decrease in operative room costs. In this study, we examine the effects of this stapler on operative times and postoperative complications in bilateral reduction mammaplasties.

METHODS

A retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted via electronic chart review on patients who underwent bilateral reduction mammaplasties. Patients were stratified by wound closure method. One group was closed with sutures only, and in the other group, deep dermal staples were used during closure of the inframammary fold incision. Incidences of patient comorbidities and postoperative complications were compared. In addition, a financial cost analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The final patient cohort included 62 patients. Operative time was reduced by an average of 21.8 minutes when using deep dermal staples during closure, compared with when closing solely with sutures (P = 0.032). When controlling for mass of breast tissue removed and type of pedicle, deep dermal staple closure still predicted a reduction of 26.5 (SE, 9.9) minutes in operative time (P = 0.010). Postoperative complications were not affected by wound closure method (odds ratio, 4.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.91-31.7, P = 0.087). Though not statistically significant, financial charge was decreased with usage of deep dermal staples (P = 0.34).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of absorbable deep dermal staples produces a significant decrease in operative time for reduction mammaplasties with no increase in postoperative complication rates.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of risks and benefits with breast reduction in the public healthcare system: priorities for further research

Background

There is no consensus for when publicly funded breast reduction is indicated and recommendations in guidelines vary greatly, indicating a lack of evidence and unequal access. The primary aim of this review was to examine risks and benefits of breast reduction to treat breast hypertrophy. Secondary aims were to examine how the studies defined breast hypertrophy and indications for a breast reduction.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE All, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and PsycInfo. The included articles were critically appraised, and certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Meta-analyses were performed when possible.

Results

Fifteen articles were included; eight reporting findings from four randomised controlled trials, three non-randomised controlled studies, three case series, and one qualitative study. Most studies had serious study limitations and problems with directness. Few of the studies defined breast hypertrophy. The studies showed significantly improved health-related quality of life and sexuality-related outcomes in patients who had undergone breast reduction compared with controls, as well as reduced depressive symptoms, levels of anxiety and pain. Most effect sizes exceeded the reported minimal important difference for the scale. Certainty of evidence for the outcomes above is low (GRADE ⊕ ⊕). Although four studies reported significantly improved physical function, the effect is uncertain (very low certainty of evidence, GRADE ⊕). None of the included studies reported data regarding work ability or sick leave. Three case series reported a 30-day mortality of zero. Reported major complications after breast reduction ranged from 2.4 to 14% and minor complications from 2.4 to 69%.

Conclusion

There is a lack of high-quality studies evaluating the results of breast reduction. A breast reduction may have positive psychological and physical effects for women, but it is unclear which women benefit the most and which women should be offered a breast reduction in the public healthcare system. Several priorities for further research have been identified.

Pre-registration

The study is based on a Health Technology Assessment report, pre-registered and then published on the website of The Regional HTA Centre of Region Västra Götaland, Sweden.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12893-021-01336-7.