Quantitative Assessment of Breast Sensation before before and after Reduction Mammaplasty in 41 Cases at Hazrat Fatemeh Hospital

Introduction & Breast reduction is performed frequently, and many different surgical methods have been described. The goal of the procedures is to obtain an aesthetic and long-standing result with a safe technique and limited scarring. Breast sensation after reduction mammaplasty is a major concern for surgeons and patients. A prospective study was designed to measure the recovery of breast sensitivity after this operation. The sensitivity of 82 breasts in 41 patients was assessed in a prospective study in Hazrat Fatemeh Hospital. Five points were selected on each breast for this study including the nipple-areola complex (NAC) and each quadrants of the breast. The measurements were performed preoperatively and 6 months after each operation. Tests involved Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, which deals with static and moving two point discrimination, were before the operation and six months after it. One patient was eliminated of our study according to post operative side effects. The Medial pedicle was used for 14 patients. A superior pedicle was used for 15 patients. An inferior pedicle was used for 11 patients. The moving two-point discrimination showed the greatest change postoperatively. Sensation of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) was decreased 6 months after the operation in all techniques and the differences were significant (P<0.05). Sensation of the upper quadrants were decreased in medial pedicle technique and sensation of the lower quadrants in superior pedicle technique in comparison with preoperative results (P<0.05). Sensation of the medial quadrants were increased and lateral quadrants were decreased in inferior pedicle techniques (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the three techniques in preservation of NAC sensation. Moving two-point discrimination is the best test for evaluation of the breast sensation. When comparing superior, medial and inferior pedicle in patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty, there were no significant differences in postoperative sensory outcome and sensation is not an important factor in technique selection. However, the decrease of NAC sensation must be discussed with patient before under taking reduction mammaplasty.