Frequency of headaches in macromastia patients and relief after reduction mammoplasty

Abstract

Background: Several studies have reported that neck, back, and shoulder pain can be reduced after macromastia. However, only 1 study has specifically investigated the relation between macromastia and headaches.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the frequency of headaches in patients with macromastia by examining a sample from our clinic and to determine whether the patients experienced headache relief following breast reduction surgery.

Methods: One hundred patients, out of 456 patients who met the criteria, were contacted by telephone and administered a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 17.0. Normal distribution of the variables was examined by histograms and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to evaluate nonparametric variables between the patients who has 1500 grams or less breast tissue removed and the patients more than 1500 grams breast tissue removed.

Results: The incidence of headaches in patients with macromastia was found to be 29%. Among the patients with headaches, 65.52% reported relief after surgery. The relief rate for headaches was found to be associated with the amount of tissue removed.

Conclusions: The incidence of headaches increased in patients with macromastia compared with the general population, and patients reported headache relief after surgery. In addition, as the amount of tissue removal increased, the relief rate for headaches after surgery also increased. Although additional studies are essential, preoperative headaches should be evaluated in breast reduction patients, and the removal of larger amounts of breast tissue should be considered among patients who report headaches.