Impact of breast reduction in self-perceived health by patients with macromastia

Section: Originals

How to quote

Pérez Panzano E, Gascón Catalán A, Güemes Sánchez A. Impacto de la reducción mamaria en la salud autopercibida en pacientes con macromastia. Metas Enferm may 2017; 20(4): 49-54.

Authors

Esther Pérez Panzano1, Ana Gascón Catalán2, Antonio Güemes Sánchez3

Position

1Doctora por la Universidad de Zaragoza. Servicio de Cirugía. Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa. Zaragoza 2Doctora por la Universidad de Zaragoza. Departamento de Fisiatría y Enfermería. Facultad Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad de Zaragoza3Doctor por la Universidad de Zaragoza. Servicio de Cirugía. Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa. Zaragoza

Contact address

Esther Pérez Panzano. Servicio de Cirugía. Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa. Avda. San Juan Bosco, 15. 50009 Zaragoza.

Contact email: eperezpa@salud.aragon.es

Abstract

Objectives: to assess the evolution at short term of psychosocial and clinical parameters in women with macromastia after breast reduction.
Methodology: an observational prospective study in women with macromastia after breast reduction managed in the Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, in Zaragoza. Sociodemographical and clinical data were collected, as well as psychosocial and quality of life parameters. This information was collected at two time points: before the procedure (baseline) and at one month after the procedure, through different questionnaires: identification of specific symptoms of macromastia, quality of life through the SF-36 Health Questionnaire, anxiety and depression through the HADS tool, and the Body Dissatisfaction sub-scale in EDI-2. In order to estimate if there were changes in patient status, the scale outcomes before and after the surgical procedure were compared through Non-parametric Wilcoxon Test.
Results: twenty (20) women were included in the study. Their mean age was 39.8 years (standard deviation: 11.11). The mean tissue removed was 1,794 g (477-3.000 g range). The mean hospital stay was 3.1 days (1-7 days range). At one month of breast reduction, a significant improvement was observed in the level of anxiety (p< 0.001) and depression (p= 0.016), as well as in shoulder and back pain (p< 0.001). There was a significant improvement in the mental health of women after surgery; 90% were satisfied with the surgical procedure outcomes, and 95% stated that they liked their breasts after surgery.
Conclusions: macromastia has a negative impact on the quality of life of those women who suffer it. Breast reduction causes a significant improvement at short term, both in physical symptoms and in psychological aspects.

Keywords:

quality of life; anxiety; depression; macromastia; breast surgery; body image

Versión en Español

Título:

Impacto de la reducción mamaria en la salud autopercibida en pacientes con macromastia