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Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2025; 52(06): 329-335
DOI: 10.1055/a-2676-4360
Breast/Trunk
Case Report

Galactorrhea after Breast Augmentation with Mastopexy: Case Reports and Literature Review

Authors

  • Juraj Payer 

    1   Renomé Clinic, Prague, Czech Republic

  • Matej Patzelt 

    2   ABClinic, Prague, Czech Republic
    3   Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Královské Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic

  • Roman Kralik

    4   Fifth Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia

  • Michal Makel 

    1   Renomé Clinic, Prague, Czech Republic
    5   Department of Plastic Surgery, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
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Abstract

Galactorrhea is a rare but well-described complication following aesthetic breast surgery. Augmentation with mastopexy is a procedure that combines breast tissue reduction with volume augmentation; however, only few cases of galactorrhea were described following this procedure. This report concerns three cases of galactorrhea after augmentation with mastopexy provided by two surgeons (J.P. and M.P.). Patients did not report any significant gynecological history, including a history of oral hormonal intake or galactorrhea in the past. All three patients underwent the dual plane breast augmentation together with the Wise-pattern breast lift. In two cases, the first symptoms occurred in the second week, and in one case in the third week after surgery, manifesting as breast pain and swelling. These clinical issues, accompanied by a small amount of white fluid secretion from the vertical scar, scar around nipple-areolar complex, and from the T-junction, were presented to the operating surgeons. Galactorrhea came to consideration after a negative microbiological examination. In two cases, galactorrhea was treated with oral dopaminergic medication cabergoline, with a good response to the therapy. All symptoms, including redness and pain, fully resolved at the 21st postoperative day without the necessity of surgical revision.

One patient with bilateral secretion was treated by early operative revision. In the following days, secretion ceased, and after drain removal, further complications did not occur. Aesthetic results after 12 months were satisfactory in all patients.

In conclusion, galactorrhea is a rare but significant complication of any mammaplasty surgery. Untreated secretion may lead to severe complications; however, early recognition and treatment may lead to good results and patient satisfaction.

Keywords

galactorrhea - breast augmentation with mastopexy - case report

Authors' Contributions

J.P. was the author of the manuscript who conceived and designed the study. M.P. was the study consultant. M.M. was responsible for the data collection. R.K was responsible for the graphic content of the study.


Ethical Approval

In this study no ethical committee was involved.


Patient Consent

The patients provided written informed consent for the publication and use of their images.




Publication History

Received: 21 April 2024

Accepted: 24 July 2025

Article published online:
20 November 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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