[Follow-up of patients who underwent reduction mammoplasty according to Strombeck between 1972 and 1975. Postoperative complications and results. Modification of the technique. Postoperative mammographic results (author's transl)].

Follow-up examinations were carried out in 60 women who underwent a reduction mammoplasty. Their review concentrated on the questions of the frequency of postoperative complications, the possibility to avoid complications by a modification of the technique and the question of mammographic evaluation of the breast in the face of scars from the mammoplasty. There were 12 severe complications. There were 6 necroses of the nipples, there were 3 abscesses, there were 2 suture fistulas and there was one case of massive hematoma. The complications depend on the amount of tissue resected. Especially necroses of the nipples depend upon the amount of tissue resected. With increasing experience of the surgeon, the nipple is moved without tension by lateral division of tissues and omission of resection of tissue above the nipple. This reduces the risk of necrosis of the nipple. Ugly scars are avoided by additional subcutaneous dexon double O sutures and additional subcuticular structures. Prolonged immobilization and later removal of the sutures help to obtain fine scars. A comparison of the preoperative and postoperative mammographies showed that 78% of the X-rays could be evaluated for carcinoma more readily postoperatively than before. For the differential diagnosis to scars from the operative, a preoperative and postoperative mammogram is necessary for comparison.