Breast Augmentation is the number one cosmetic procedure performed in the United States. A known but not completely understood complication is striae post-operatively. We wanted to investigate our own patient population to discern any risk factors for new onset striae following cosmetic breast augmentation.
Methods/Technique:
A retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing primary breast augmentation from 2005 to 2012 in a single surgeon practice. It was noted only patients 25 and younger were susceptible to formation of new onset breast striae; therefore, only this population of patients were investigated. Potential risk factors examined include age, body mass index (BMI), oral contraceptive use (OCP), last menstrual period (LMP), parity, smoking or alcohol status, diabetes, and history of striae. Surgical and implant factors examined including silicone vs. saline, volume of implant, incision, and pocket.
Results/Complications:
A total of 549 patients 25 years old and younger were included. In 17 cases (3.10%), new onset striae was observed. This risk was noted to be statistically significant among patients who are younger, nulliparous, history of striae, or LMP over 14 days before surgery (p <0.05). There was also strong positive correlation in patients comparing implant size vs BMI (p =0.7)
Conclusion:
We found new onset breast striae in 3.10% of our studied population. Literature has shown striae formation maybe related to hormonal levels. Our investigation found striae only in patients aged 25 or younger, which equates with growth hormone levels being highest below age 25. All of our patients with striae had their LMP over 14 days prior to surgery where progesterone levels are the highest. We also found a positive correlation with nulliparous patients. The results from this study suggest that there is a positive relationship between hormonal levels and new onset breast striae formation in patients undergoing cosmetic breast augmentation.