The rise of pediatric reduction mammoplasties over the past decade: Trends in patients and surgical outcomes

Abstract

Objectives

Symptomatic macromastia can lead to physical and psychosocial challenges, especially in younger patients. Here we aim to assess trends in the volume of pediatric reduction mammoplasties and their associated outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric (NSQIP-P) Participant Use Data File identified pediatric patients who underwent reduction mammoplasty from 2012 to 2021. Trends in surgical volume were assessed using annual percent change. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared using standard univariate statistics. Multivariable analysis was used to model the influence of covariates on surgical volume.

Results

2129 patients were identified, with majority being White (48.7%) with a mean age of 16.7 (x±1.1) years. Rates of pediatric reduction mammoplasty increased 1,589.7% from 2012 to 2021. This was observed to be correlated with a significant rise in rate of outpatient surgeries being performed. Patient demographics including age, body mass index, and race were not observed to change over time.

Conclusions

There has been a steady increase in pediatric reduction mammoplasties over the past decade irrespective of factors including age and BMI. This is possibly driven by the increasedoccurrence of these procedures being performed in an outpatient setting. These findings underscore the need for ongoing research and awareness to determine additional factors related to evolving patient population.