Evaluation of therapeutic mammoplasty techniques in the surgical management of female patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis with mild to moderate inflammatory symptoms in terms of recurrence and patients' satisfaction.

Background: Although idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) affects young females, its surgical management usually leads to disfigurement of the breasts.

Objectives: To assess the use of therapeutic mammoplasty techniques for management of IGM in terms of recurrence and postoperative patients' satisfaction.

Methods: This prospective clinical study included thirteen patients who were diagnosed histologically as IGM. Patients with moderate to large breasts, who had a breast mass between 20-50% of the breast size with failed medical treatment or intolerability to steroids were subjected to therapeutic mammoplasty techniques. Only patients with large breasts were offered contra-lateral reduction mammoplasty to resume symmetry and achieve better aesthetic results.

Results: Early postoperative bleeding that was encountered in one patient (7.7%) was the only serious postoperative complication. Patient was re-operated and the bleeder was secured. Recurrence occurred in 2 patients (15.4%) at 16 and 24 months after the operation. Kyungpook National University Hospital (KNUH) breast reconstruction satisfaction questionnaire used to assess patients' satisfaction 6 months after the operation and revealed that 10 patients (76.9%) were satisfied after the operation.

Conclusion: Using therapeutic mammoplasty techniques in surgical management of IGM in moderate to large breasts seems justifiable with good results regarding recurrence and postoperative patients' satisfaction.