Surgical complications and follow-up evaluation of 163 patients with subcutaneous mastectomy.

One hundred sixty three prophylactic subcutaneous mastectomies were performed during a six-year period in high-risk situations. All cases were evaluated for immediate surgical complications and followed up for at least five years. The postoperative complications following subcutaneous mastectomy with and without simultaneous reduction of skin were hematoma, infection, necrosis of the nipple area, pain, and impaired sensitivity. The most significant long-term complication was moderate to severe capsule formation. Despite these problems most women were satisfied with the procedure which was performed because of their increased risk of breast cancer.