Effect of sustained-release lidocaine on reduction of pain after subpectoral breast augmentation.

Abstract

Subpectoral breast augmentation is a popular procedure that increases the attractiveness of the female breast. However, this surgical procedure often causes postoperative breast pain. The author reports a new method of controlling postoperative breast pain following subpectoral augmentation. Thirty patients were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 patients each. In all patients, silicone gel prostheses were placed in the subpectoral pocket. Patients in group A received 7.5 mL of 3.5% lidocaine dissolved in fibrin glue. Group B received 7.5 mL of lidocaine alone, and those in group C received 7.5 mL of fibrin glue alone. Breast pain was observed for 1 week postoperatively for all 3 groups. Patients completed questionnaires on each postoperative day in which pain assessment was scored according to a 0 to 3 scale: 0 equaled "no pain" and 3 equaled "worst pain." Postoperative breast pain reported by patients in group A was significantly less than that reported by patients in groups B and C (P < .05). Sustained-release lidocaine applied in the subpectoral pocket significantly reduced postoperative pain and discomfort without complications for patients who received cosmetic subpectoral breast augmentation. The relatively small size of the patient group limits the impact of these results; a much larger randomized, double-blind study is planned.