Women Who Undergo Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Report Long-Term Satisfaction
A study published in the journal Annals of Surgery was conducted to check for long-term satisfaction for women who underwent breast reconstruction after surgical removal of breasts (mastectomy). The study included women who had either an implant-based breast reconstruction or autologous breast construction (breast reconstruction using own tissues).
There have been studies that examine the patient-reported outcomes and post-mastectomy reconstruction; however, these have been focused on the short-term satisfaction (post-operative period and within 2 years of surgery). The researchers hoped to better understand these women’s satisfaction and health related quality of life in in the long-term.
For this analysis, 3268 patients were given specific questionnaires to determine satisfaction. Nearly 90% of the patients had undergone implant based reconstruction while the rest had chosen to have autologous breast reconstruction. The data collected was processed to calculate the mean satisfaction with respect to breast, to the outcome, psychosocial well-being, physical well-being of the chest, and sexual well-being.
It was found that postoperative radiation and mental illness were the factors that most adversely impacted satisfaction with breast scores. Overall, the analysis demonstrated that most women with post-mastectomy reconstruction were satisfied with their choices.
Thus, the findings of this study suggest that patients who opted to have post-mastectomy reconstruction of breasts showed stable long-term satisfaction and reported a good quality of life, post-operatively.
Source :Nelson JA, Allen RJ Jr, Polanco T, et al. Long-term Patient-reported Outcomes Following Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction: An 8-year Examination of 3268 Patients. Ann Surg. 2019;270(3):473-483. doi:10.1097/SLA.0000000000003467
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