Galactorrhea and galactocele formation after augmentation mammoplasty and augmentation mastopexy

Abstract

Purpose: Some of the most common complications associated with augmentation mammoplasty (AUM) and augmentation mastopexy (AUMX) include infections, seroma, hematoma, capsular contracture, asymmetry, hypertrophic scars, implant rupture, and deformities. Galactocele and galactorrhea can rarely be observed after AUM and in reduction mammoplasties other than the AUMX, while galactorrhea is often observed after chest wall deformity correction surgery and thoracic surgery. Patients and Methods: In our clinic, galactorrhea was developed in five out of 540 patients who underwent AUM or AUMX, and one of these patients also had galactorrhea and galactocele in the accessory breast tissue. No patients were postmenopausal, and none of them had a history of pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, or ovarian surgery. Lactation started in average 10–15 days after surgery and lasted about 4–5 weeks. The patients were followed up for 1–10 years. In one patient who was found to be pregnant, galactorrhea ceased spontaneously 2 weeks after the termination of the pregnancy by curettage. Results: This clinical study presents the cases of five patients with galactorrhea and galactocele in the accessory breast tissue, with particular focus on treatment and possible risks, and discusses whether large nipples may cause a risk for galactorrhea. This study presents the second largest series of cases with galactorrhea in literature after the study reported by Caputy and Flowers. Level of evidence: Level V.