Answer:
Mammographic findings after breast reduction may be similar to those seen with carcinoma. Brown et al (PRS 1987; 80:691) recommend pre-op mammography in patients over 35 or with a history of cancer in first degree relatives followed by post-op mammography between 3 and 6 months to determine changes due to surgery and provide a baseline for further comparisons. Bostwick suggests that preoperative mammograms should be obtained for all patients at high risk or over 30 years of age, and at 6 months post-op and yearly thereafter. Beer (Aesthet Plast Surg 1996; 20:391) recommends mammograms 3 months post-op to establish a baseline. All reduction specimens should be labeled appropriately and sent for histopathology.