Abstract

PURPOSE:

Debate around reduction mammaplasty has continued due to lack of prospective randomised clinical trials (RCTs). Therefore, a prospective randomised clinical trial was designed to assess the effectiveness of reduction mammaplasty performed for symptomatic breast hypertrophy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

82 patients were randomised, 40 patients to the operative group, and 42 patients to the nonoperative group. Groups were examined at 0 and 6 months. Instruments used were the Short Form-36 quality of life questionnaire (SF-36), the 15D quality of life questionnaire, the Finnish Breast-Associated Symptoms questionnaire (FBAS), and the Finnish Pain Questionnaire (FPQ). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied for instrumental data comparison.

RESULTS:

29 patients in the operative group and 35 patients in the nonoperative group completed the study. Mean age was 46 years. At second examination, the utility index score (SF-6D) and the physical summary score of SF-36, the index score of 15D, the breast-associated symptoms score of FBAS, and the pain score of FPQ demonstrated high significant statistical (P<0.0001) and clinical difference between groups. For the mental summary score of SF-36 findings were less significant statistically and clinically.

CONCLUSIONS:

Reduction mammaplasty results in significant improvement of quality of life and decrease in pain and breast-associated symptoms. Future studies should be focused on patient selection and justification of the treatment by comparing with other approved treatments.