An study published recently in the Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery compared physical characteristics and implant details of breast augmentation patients in three different geographical locations: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada; Loma Linda, California; and Temple, Texas.
The authors reviewed 100 consecutive breast augmentation cases at practices in each of the three cities, gathering data on height, weight, body mass index (BMI), age, the number of children the patient had and implant volume.
They found that the three group medians were significantly different for weight, BMI and implant volume; BMI was lowest in the Canadian city and highest in Temple, Tex. Temple patients had the smallest average implant size, significantly lower than the other two cities.
There was also a statistically significant positive correlation of BMI and implant volume in the two U.S. cities, meaning the higher the patient’s BMI, the larger the implant volume used. The researchers wrote, Implications from this correlation found in our study include possibly improving implant volume predictions preoperatively, leading to improved efficiency, outcomes and reduced reoperation rates.
They also say that the patientsâ?? BMI could potentially provide an additional data point on which to make operative planning decisions.
In addition to comparing geographies, the study also revealed data for all 300 patients combined. On average, the breast augmentation patients studied were:
- 34 years old
- 5′ 4″ tall
- 128 pounds
The researchers decided to examine the demographics of breast augmentation patients, as they said this information has often been lacking from other studies, despite the increase in breast augmentation surgeries. According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there has been a 45 percent increase in women seeking breast augmentation since 2000. To learn more, read the full text of the study online.
Dr. Jonov performs breast augmentation at the Seattle Plastic Surgery Center.
Dr. Jonov is a cosmetic surgeon who specializes in plastic surgeries of the face, breast, and body at Seattle Plastic Surgery.
