Dilute adrenaline infiltration and reduced blood loss in reduction mammaplasty

The aim of this review was to assess the use of dilute adrenaline infiltrat ion in reduction mammaplasty and to determine whether it had any associated complications. The closed technique for adrenaline infiltration was used w ith no reported infection. One hundred breast reductions in 50 patients wer e compared by dividing them into two groups of 25 patients each. Group A ha d 1:500,000 adrenaline in normal saline infiltration; group B did not. Both groups were matched equally for age and general health. Results showed tha t blood loss was less for group A when measured by the fall in postoperativ e hemoglobin (2.5 g pier deciliter vs. 3.5 g per deciliter). This was stati stically significant (p < 0.05), There was no significant difference in pos toperative drainage (group A, 158 ml; group B, 182 ml). Group A required fe wer blood transfusions (two vs, eight), without the risk of increased compl ications. Blood transfusions were given in the earlier part of the study, b ut currently are rarely needled. Adrenaline infiltration at this dilution i s virtually free from any side effects. It decreases intraoperative blood l oss and facilitates the operation without the need for blood transfusion.