The impact of body mass index on reduction mammaplasty: a multicenter analysis of 2492 patients

Reduction mammaplasty is commonly performed in women who are considered obese by the body mass index (BMI) classification of the World Health Organization. The authors compare complication rates among breast reduction patients, stratified by BMI, across multiple institutions. A retrospective analysis was performed of all reduction mammaplasties in the database of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for 2006 through 2010. Demographic, comorbidity, and BMI data were collected. Data on medical and surgical complications, reoperation, and mortality were collected through 30 days postsurgery. Of 2492 patients, 55% were considered obese (BMI >30). The overall rate of surgical complications was 4.0%, increasing from 2.4% for BMI 45 (P = .006), with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.97 for BMI >45 versus BMI