Breast Anthropometry: Values and Application in Breast Surgery for Vietnamese Women

OBJECTIVES: Breast surgery requires a high aesthetic outcome and should be individualized according to anthropometric breast and body characteristics. This study aimed to measure the anthropometric parameters and volume of Vietnamese female breasts and their application in breast surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study enrolled 240 women treated at Vietnam National Cancer Hospital aged 18 to 78 years old. The measurements were obtained with the patient sitting upright in the anatomic position based on key landmarks and breast volume was also assessed. Differences in breast anthropometric measurements and breast volume were compared between groups of age, BMI, and the number of children. The correlation between breast volume calculated by anthropometric method and surgical specimen volume was evaluated to determine the accuracy of this method. RESULTS: The mean values of the right and left breast volumes are less statistically different. Mean breast volume of the right breast and left breast were 396.1±182.3ml and 399.4±182.2ml, respectively. The proportion of breast ptosis increased with age (p=0.027), Body mass index (p<0.0001), and the number of children (p=0.004). The most important factor affecting the size and shape of the breast was body mass index (BMI). Mastectomy specimen volume and breast volume calculated by the anthropometric method are highly correlated with r=0.966. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study should be applied in clinical practice in breast surgery for Vietnamese women.