The variation in breast density and its relationship to delayed wound healing: a prospective study of 40 reduction mammoplasties.

The proportions of glandular and adipose tissue within the breast vary. This study records the variation in density of breast tissue excised at 40 consecutive bilateral breast reductions. Age, body mass index (BMI), breast size and wound healing problems were related to breast density. The removed breast tissue was weighed and volume determined by water displacement. Delayed wound healing was defined as any breast unhealed after 2 weeks. The density of excised tissue varied between 0.8 and 1.2g/cm(3). There was no correlation between age or BMI and breast density. Delayed wound healing occurred in 32% of patients. There was no correlation between delayed wound healing and breast density. However, there was a direct relationship between increasing BMI and delayed wound healing. In this study, breast density varied by up to 50%. The density of breast tissue cannot be predicted by age, BMI or breast size. There is no relationship between delayed wound healing and breast density.