“The Impact of Reduction Mammaplasty on Back Pain and Posture in Patients with Macromastia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

Böhmer EM, Betsch M, Stumpfe M, Horch RE, Migliorini F, Pasurka M (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

Book Volume: Publish Ahead of Print

Abstract

Objectives: – This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of reduction mammaplasty (RM) on back pain and postural changes in patients with macromastia. Methods: – A comprehensive literature search (PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Scopus) was conducted in November 2024 according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. Both prospective and retrospective studies examining RM’s effects on back pain and posture were included. Primary outcomes were changes in back pain, spinal alignment (thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis), and postural control. Results: – 47 studies met the inclusion criteria for systematic review, with 25 contributing to different meta-analyses (n=4677). Mean age was 38.6 (±3.0) years, BMI 27.57 (±2.06) kg/m^2, and follow-up 27.4 (±25.5) months. All studies assessing back pain reported relief following RM. Meta-analysis of 7 studies (n=393) using the Visual Analog Scale showed a significant reduction in back pain (mean difference: 5.01, 95% CI: 3.11–6.91, p<0.01). A separate quantitative analysis of 12 studies (n=1380) using a dichotomous endpoint (improvement in back pain vs. no improvement) found 90% of patients experienced significant back pain relief (95% CI: 86%–93%). Thoracic kyphosis, assessed in 4 studies (n=126), improved significantly (mean difference: 1.5°, 95% CI: 0.23–2.76, p=0.02), whereas changes in lumbar lordosis (n=126) were less consistent (mean difference: 0.26°, 95% CI: −0.07–0.60, p=0.13). Postural control data are exploratory due to the limited number of comparable studies. Conclusion: – RM appears to be an effective intervention for alleviating chronic back pain and improving thoracic kyphosis in patients with macromastia. Further research is needed to clarify its effects on postural control. Level of evidence: – Level II

Authors with CRIS profile

Eva-Maria Böhmer Professur für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie Marcel Betsch Professur für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie Maximilian Stumpfe Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery Raymund Horch Professur für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie Mario Pasurka Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

Involved external institutions

Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen

Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Böhmer, E.-M., Betsch, M., Stumpfe, M., Horch, R.E., Migliorini, F., & Pasurka, M. (2025). “The Impact of Reduction Mammaplasty on Back Pain and Posture in Patients with Macromastia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Publish Ahead of Print. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000012740

MLA:

Böhmer, Eva-Maria, et al. "“The Impact of Reduction Mammaplasty on Back Pain and Posture in Patients with Macromastia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”." Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Publish Ahead of Print (2025).

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