Background
The Breast-Q questionnaire reduction module is an established tool for outcomes after reduction mammoplasty.
Objectives
This systematic review and meta-analysis assess key parameters affecting pre- and postoperative scores, with specific foci on patient characteristics and tissue resection weights.
Methods
This study was conducted per PRISMA guidelines. PUBMED, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched. All studies published before August 1st, 2021, were assessed for eligibility by two independent reviewers. Inclusion criteria were prospective or retrospective studies in six languages that reported quality of life after reduction mammoplasty using the Breast-Q questionnaire reduction module. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale. Analysis was performed per Cochrane Collaboration and the Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) guidelines.
Results
28 papers were included in the systematic review, 13 for preoperative meta-analysis, and 17 for postoperative meta-analysis. Postoperative scores in all three quality of life domains (psychosocial, physical, and sexual wellbeing) and satisfaction with breasts increased significantly after reduction mammoplasty compared to preoperative scores. Satisfaction with breasts showed the greatest improvement, from 22.9 to 73.0. Preoperative scores were lower than normative data, with improvement to comparable scores as the healthy population postoperatively. Improvements in Breast-Q scores did not correlate with patient comorbidities, complication rates, or amount of breast tissue resected.
Conclusions
Reduction mammoplasty provides marked improvement in Breast-Q patient-reported quality of life as well established in literature. However, these improvements do not correlate with tissue resection weights, warranting further inquiry of insurance-defined resection requirements.