Evaluation of the cosmetic result in patients submitted to resection of an axillary supernumerary breast - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

ABSTRACT Purpose: to evaluate the degree of satisfaction of patients submitted to resection of a supernumerary breast, in terms of esthetics, and the rate of complications. Patients and Methods: twenty-three women submitted to surgical treatment for removal of axillary breast tissue at the Breast Unit of the HC-UFG, between July 1994 and September 1997, were evaluated. Age ranged between 20 and 49 (mean 35 years). Patient complaints included local pain, discomfort and questions on personal esthetics. The patients’ satisfaction was evaluated through an interview in which they reported to be very satisfied, satisfied, unsatisfied or regretting the surgery. The HC-UFG team also evaluated each of these patients, considering the cosmetic result as very good, good or poor. Results: according to the evaluation by the patients themselves, 61% were very satisfied and none regretted the surgery. The evaluation carried out by the medical team was stricter, as only 22% of the cases were rated as very good by the evaluators. In terms of complications, there was a 22% incidence of seroma and 13% of infection. Conclusion: the discrepancy among the patients’ and doctors’ ratings seems to demonstrate that the degree of satisfaction of the patients is higher than that one could initially suppose, a fact that motivates us to carry on offering this treatment modality to those who wish to have it, even considering the relative high rate of complications.