Muslu U, et al. – This prospective, non–randomized study was performed to compare two commonly used breast reduction techniques, superomedial pedicle and inferior pedicle, regarding sensation of the nipple–areolar complex. Authors identified the two techniques as safe and reliable in terms of sensory changes.

Methods

• 60 patients with macromastia were prospectively assigned into the superomedial pedicle group (SMP group, n = 30) or the inferior pedicle (IP group, n = 30) group.
• Authors excluded six patients who withdrew from the study and another six patients who did not attend return visits.
• They used algometry to measure the sensation of breast skin, cardinal points of the areola and the nipple.
• They also measured two–point discrimination on the areola.
• They performed measurements before surgery, at 3 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively.

Results

• The SMP group comprised of 20 patients and the IP group comprised of 28 patients; the mean ages were 43.2 ± 12.7 and 45.9 ± 10.8 years, respectively (p = 0.438); mean BMI were 32.4 ± 6.7 and 30.4 ± 5.3 kg/m², respectively (p = 0.257).
• In this study, the mean weights of resected tissues were 802.5 (280–2180) versus 773.7 (349.5–1425.0) g, respectively (p = 0.900).
• Although there appeared no change in breast sensation in the SMP group, sensation in the upper medial and lower lateral portions of breast skin was reduced in the IP group.
• In either group, two–point discrimination test results remained unchanged.
• Both groups indicated similar amount of changes in algometry and two–point discrimination tests.