Abstract
BACKGROUND: Breast hypertrophy can lead to significant physical discomfort and reduced quality of life. In Denmark's public healthcare system, access to reduction mammoplasty is guided by criteria including a minimum resection weight of 400-500 g per breast and relevant physical symptoms. This study evaluates adherence to national guidelines and explores patient-reported outcomes following breast reduction surgery. METHODS: We conducted a single center observational cohort study, including 44 women who underwent bilateralt breast reception for hypertrophy in 2023. Patients were classified based on resection weight (> 400 g vs. ≤ 400 g per breast). A questionnaire was distributed postoperatively to assess symptom relief, satisfaction, and perceived outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 44 patients, 52 % met the >400 g resection criterion. Thirty-one patients (70.5 %) completed the questionnaire. The most common preoperative symptoms were neck/shoulder pain (93.5 %) and physical activity limitations. Notably, 22.6 % of patients felt their breasts remained too large post-surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Despite only partial adherence to resection weight guidelines, the majority of patients experienced substantial symptom relief and reported high satisfaction. The study also underscores the complexity of aligning surgical outcomes with patient selection. While adherence to national guidelines remains important, a more personalized approach to both preoperative assessment and surgical planning may be key to optimizing outcomes and better meeting individual patient needs.