This is the post I sent to Dr. Cram, the contact person listed on the
University of Iowa breast plastic surgery page, and his reply.  Anyone care
to comment, either to the list, or to him directly?  I don't know enough
about it to say anything, myself.  He does know that this is being posted to
the list.  Kathy Dettwyler


>Return-Path: [log in to unmask]
>From: [log in to unmask]
>X-PH: V4.1@mail
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: RE: web page info
>Date: Mon, 26 Feb 96 09:26:45 CST
>
>
>Inquiring minds would like to know what the source is for the
>statement that breastfeeding from a breast with an abcess can
>lead to pneumonia in the infant.  This statement was posted to
>an e-mail list of over 900 lactation consultants of which I am
>a part (I wasn't the poster, but did go see the web page for
>myself, hence my comments now).  If you would like to reply to
>me, I can forward it to the list (only subscribers can post to
>the list).

 >>>  I don't know the source for that statement and I didn't post it.  I
>am not an expert on breast feeding.  I suppose an infant drinking bacteria
>contaminated milk from any source could aspirate some and get pneumonia
this way.  Most women with a true breast abscess would be too sore to allow
feeding from the involved side, I should think.
>
>Breast reduction can be done by a number of techniques.  Some completely
detach the nipple areolar tissue from the lobules, and in this case breast
feeding would not be possible.  I (and most modern plastic surgeons) use
some variation of the central or inferior pedicle technique and this leaves
the majority of the breast in continuity with the nipple areola.  I always
tell women of childbearing age that ANY surgical procedure on the breast MAY
affect the ability to breast feed.  If they intend to have more children and
feel breast feeding is crucial they should wait to have the reduction until
they are through with childbearing.

>I will review our web page on breast reduction and try to make this area
more clear.
> Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
>
>Albert E. Cram, MD, FACS
>
>
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Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.                         email: [log in to unmask]
Anthropology Department                               phone: (409) 845-5256
Texas A&M University                                    fax: (409) 845-4070
College Station, TX  77843-4352