Reduction mammaplasty at a teaching hospital in North Central Nigeria – A 12-year audit

Abstract

Reduction mammaplasty (RM) is the 7th most common surgery performed by plastic surgeons worldwide. This trend is not reflected by literature in the African subcontinent. In this article, we present the demographic characteristics of patients who had reduction mammoplasty in a teaching hospital in North Central Nigeria. In a retrospective study, we present data from 8 RMs performed over 12 years. Fifty per cent of our patients were single, and the patient age ranged from 18 to 53 years, with a mean age of 32 ± 12.2 years. Our patients presented with the classic symptoms of breast hypertrophy: chest pain, back pain, and mastalgia. The mean nipple areola distance was 37.2 ± 5.9 cm. Six (75%) of our patients had superior pedicle RM, while the other two had breast amputation and free nipple grafting. Fifty per cent had inverted T skin pattern resection and the rest had a vertical scar. We recorded no complications in three of our patients. We have found the superomedial pedicle to be quite versatile and reliable, with a short learning curve even with very large breasts. Patient satisfaction post-operative was mixed in three patients and negative in one patient. A lot of education is necessary to ensure that patients are aware of RM and that the procedure must be made affordable.