Cicatrix Optima of Windsor ON | Breast Reduction

Cosmetic Surgery>>Breasts & Chest >> Breast Reduction

CICATRIX * OPTIMA 1720 HOWARD AVE, SUITE 364 WINDSOR, ON N8X 5A6 TEL/FAX: 519.971 0971

Possible Complications

Fluid collection (seroma): This is a collection of serum in small pockets beneath the skin. Generally, the seroma will spontaneously resorb. Occasionally, needle aspiration is necessary.

Infection: Infection following breast reduction correction is uncommon. The incidence is approximately 1% and severe infections are extremely uncommon. However, any surgical wound can become infected. An infection usually will become apparent a few days after the surgery. The signs are: pain, redness, heat and swelling. Antibiotics and dressing changes will often control it. On rare occasions, hospitalization and formal drainage in the operating room may be needed to control more significant infections.

You will be given a prophylactic antibiotic when undergoing your breast reduction.

Bleeding under the breast tissue (haematoma): Any type of surgery may result in bleeding in the operated area. This may be due to a temporary increase in blood pressure, for example due to coughing. It can also occur from the effects of medication like aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs. Bleeding is usually manifested by acute swelling of the area, discolouration of the skin, pain and a feeling of tension. In rare cases, massive bleeding may require hospitalization and transfusion.

If the accumulation of blood is small, it may be allowed to absorb by itself or aspiration may be indicated as with a seroma. However, if it is large, formal drainage in an operating room may be necessary.

External bleeding is easily detected. Blood is seen coming through the incision and may leak through the dressing. It may be either actual bleeding or an accumulation of liquid coming out through a surgical drain. External compression of the wound usually stops it. If it continues, we may have to stop it after reopening the incision.

Breast asymmetry: It must be emphasized that no pair of breasts ever starts out exactly the same and there will always be some differences after breast reduction surgery. The goal is to minimize these differences.

Contour deformities: these can occur in the breast tissue and result in rippling, divots, and sunken nipples. Sometimes these become less apparent with time.

Interference with or inability to breastfeed.

Decreased or complete loss of nipple sensation: This is related to the amount of breast tissue removed. This is most commonly a temporary change, but it may be permanent.

Recurrent breast sagging and/or enlargement, especially with significant weight changes or pregnancy.

Death (necrosis) of tissue resulting in delayed healing: When blood circulation is inadequate to bring sufficient oxygen to the tissues, some of the tissue (skin, fat or in rare cases even the nipple) furthest away from the blood supply may be lost. The skin, especially at the junctions of the incisions, may discolour and form a dark dry crust which will eventually separate off. This may leave a wide scar. The underlying normal tissues heal by themselves. Skin necrosis is not infrequent in patients who smoke but it is uncommon in non-smokers. Significant necrosis may necessitate further operative procedures to remove the unhealthy tissue and revise the scar in the future.

Prominent, unsightly scars (thick, red, ropy, itchy, and painful): The normal healing of wounds is a physiological process which continues to take place in the depths of the tissues for many months before final resolution. At first, the surgical scar is almost invisible. Then it becomes red and somewhat elevated for about 3 months. It then becomes paler, softer and flatter and reaches its resolved state in 6 to 12 months. Aesthetic surgery has its limitations. Any time the skin is opened a scar of some kind results. This may be a good scar (fine white line) or a conspicuous one, but there is always a scar of some sort.

Each individual’s healing is different. Some form fine white lines while others will form heavier ones. The surgeon has no influence on the actual formation of a scar. Factors that can influence the quality of healing include smoking, obesity, infection and bleeding. The complete mechanisms of wound healing are not yet fully understood. Thus, the factors that may lead to formation of a conspicuous scar are not yet known.

Very heavy (hypertrophic) scars or keloids (scars which escape the confines of the original wound) are uncommon. They are found most frequently on the front of the chest, abdomen, and shoulder area. Dark skinned peoples (particularly those of African, Asian or Mediterranean descent) are more susceptible to the development of hypertrophic scars. Methods of treatment for unsightly scars include local pressure, cortisone injection, topical creams, and surgical revision.

This operation requires the use of external compression and the tape and dressings used to do this may cause blistering of the skin. This may temporarily cause more visible scarring.

Sun exposure of a new scar should be avoided for the first year following your operation. An immature scar exposed to sun may become more visible and pigmented.

Blood clots in the legs (venous thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism): These complications, though rare, are among the most serious from this type of surgery. Conditions predisposing a patient to these complications would include obesity, smoking, and a history of cardiac and pulmonary disease or blood clotting disorders, length of surgery and prolonged post operative immobility.