Breast reduction surgery is a common plastic surgery that aims to improve the appearance of the breasts and reduce the burden on the body by removing excess breast tissue, fat and skin. With the development of surgical techniques, more and more women choose breast reduction surgery to solve the physical and psychological problems caused by enlarged breasts. However, one of the main functions of the breast is breastfeeding, so the impact of surgery on breastfeeding function has become the focus of attention of patients and doctors.
Breast anatomy and basic lactation function
The breast is mainly composed of mammary tissue, adipose tissue and connective tissue. The mammary gland is composed of multiple alveoli and ducts. The ducts finally converge at the nipple to transport milk. The nipple and areola area are rich in nerve endings and blood vessels, and nerve conduction is critical to the lactation reflex. The maintenance of lactation function depends on a complete mammary duct system, nipple nerve innervation and sufficient mammary tissue.
Breast reduction surgery and its effects on breastfeeding
Breast reduction surgery can be divided into several types according to the incision design and the range of tissue resection, such as cone resection, vertical resection and circular resection. Different surgical procedures cause different degrees of damage to breast tissue, ducts and nerves, thereby affecting breastfeeding function to varying degrees.
1. Impact of the amount of breast tissue removed
The more breast tissue removed during surgery, the fewer glands remaining that can secrete milk, and the breastfeeding ability is relatively reduced. After a large amount of breast tissue is removed, milk production decreases, which may lead to insufficient breastfeeding.
2. Integrity of the mammary duct system
Damage to the duct system will hinder the normal discharge of milk. If the duct is partially or completely cut off, the channel for milk to be transported to the nipple will be blocked, which may lead to milk accumulation, breast pain, and even infection.
3. The nipple and its neurovascular supply
The nerve innervation of the nipple is crucial to the lactation stimulation reflex. If the nipple sensation is weakened or lost, the infant's sucking stimulation will find it difficult to trigger sufficient lactation reflex, affecting milk secretion. In some surgical procedures, the nipple is freed or the position is adjusted, which may damage nerves and blood vessels and affect nipple sensation and blood supply.
4. Nipple and areola repositioning technique
Some breast reduction surgeries use the method of freeing the nipple and areola and then reimplanting it. This can preserve the shape of the nipple to a certain extent, but the recovery of the neurovascular connection is unstable, and there is a risk of impaired breastfeeding function.
Clinical study on lactation function after breast reduction surgery
Several clinical studies have shown that there is a large difference in the proportion of breastfeeding function affected after breast reduction surgery, which is mainly affected by factors such as the surgical method, the scope of resection, and individual differences among patients.
Statistics on breastfeeding success rates
About 40% to 80% of patients can still breastfeed successfully after surgery, but milk production and breastfeeding duration may decrease, and some patients report abnormal or complete loss of nipple sensation, which affects the baby's sucking efficiency.
Symptoms of breastfeeding difficulties
Common problems include insufficient milk supply, nipple pain, blocked milk ducts and breast infections (such as mastitis), which may lead to interruption of breastfeeding and a switch to bottle feeding.
Analysis of influencing factors
The choice of surgical procedure, the surgeon's experience and individual anatomical differences are important factors affecting the recovery of lactation function. The lactation function is usually better preserved by using a surgical procedure that preserves the nipple neurovascular bundle.
Improvement of surgical techniques and protection of breastfeeding function
In order to reduce the negative impact of breast reduction surgery on breastfeeding function, the surgical techniques are constantly explored and optimized clinically:
Preservation of the papillary neurovascular bundle
Emphasis is placed on preserving the integrity of the papillary nerves and blood vessels to the greatest extent possible, reducing postoperative sensory loss and blood supply disorders.
Reduces breast duct damage
Precise cutting is performed during the operation to avoid cutting the main mammary ducts as much as possible and to preserve the milk delivery pathway.
Preoperative and postoperative lactation function assessment
Through breast ultrasound and milk secretion assessment, we can determine the surgical risks and expected breastfeeding ability to help patients make informed choices.
Postoperative breastfeeding guidance and support
Provide professional breastfeeding guidance to help mothers and babies establish a good breastfeeding relationship and reduce breastfeeding barriers caused by technical problems.
Long-term effects of breast reduction surgery on lactation function
Within a few years after surgery, some patients may partially recover their breastfeeding function and nipple sensation may gradually improve, but the impact on milk production is usually difficult to completely reverse. Long-term follow-up shows that breastfeeding ability is closely related to preoperative breast function and surgical procedure choice.
Medical ethics and patients' right to know
Before surgery, doctors should inform patients in detail about the possible risks of breast reduction surgery on breastfeeding function, and discuss surgical options and expected results. Patients should weigh the pros and cons of the physical and psychological improvements brought about by the surgery and the potential loss of breastfeeding function and make independent decisions.
Future Research Directions
Application of minimally invasive techniques
Explore minimally invasive breast reduction surgery to further reduce damage to breast tissue and neurovascular vessels.
Biomaterials and tissue engineering
Use biomaterials to promote breast tissue repair and improve postoperative lactation recovery.
Individualized surgical plan design
Combined with imaging and functional assessment, a personalized surgical plan is developed to meet the patient's needs.
Adjuvant therapy for recovery of lactation function
To study the effects of drugs and physical therapy on the recovery of breast function after surgery.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips: The effect of breast reduction surgery on breastfeeding function varies from person to person. Fully understanding the risks and characteristics of the surgery before surgery will help you develop a reasonable treatment plan, maintain good communication with your doctor, and receive professional postoperative breastfeeding support, which will help improve the success rate of breastfeeding and the health of mother and baby.