Review of data describing outcomes that are used to assess changes in quality of life after reduction mammaplasty

Although plastic surgeons have empirically "known" of the benefits of reduc tion mammaplasty for their patients, a paucity of outcome studies have been reported. For this study, an attempt to perform a meta-analysis of outcome s in reduction mammaplasty was undertaken. A computer literature search was performed of the MEDLINE database for the period between 1966 and Septembe r of 1997 for the Medical Subject Headings mammaplasty and outcome measures . Reference lists were used for additional reports. No trials were identifi ed that met the criteria for meta-analysis. Seventeen publications met less restrictive review criteria that evaluated quality-of-life outcome measure s. A systematic evaluation of patient-focused outcome measures demonstrated that consistent improvement in physical symptoms was found across most stu dies, as was a high degree of patient satisfaction (78 to 95 percent very o r moderately satisfied), and some have shown improvement in body image and psychological well-being. However, although this review does identify consi stent improvements in patient quality of life after reduction mammaplasty, inconsistencies among study designs do not allow formal meta-analysis.