Patient satisfaction in one-stage immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy: A multi-center comparative patient evaluation of prosthesis, LDMF, and TRAM techniques

Abstract

AbstractTo analyze patient satisfaction and the predictive factors characterizing three types of one-stage immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) after mastectomy, including prosthesis, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (LDMF), transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap techniques.Data were collected via face-To-face or telephone interviews from eight breast centers in China from January 2012 to December 2016. A standardized questionnaire that evaluated the general satisfaction and aesthetic satisfaction was sent to patients who had undergone IBR. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with patient satisfaction among the three types of breast reconstruction.A total of 412 questionnaires were sent out, and 309 copies were collected including 226 prosthesis, 46 LDMF, and 37 pedicle TRAM reconstruction. Logistic regression analysis showed that general satisfaction and aesthetic satisfaction were significantly correlated with radiotherapy (P < .001, P = .018), respectively. Besides, the aesthetic satisfaction was also associated with nipple-Areola complex (NAC) preservation (P < .001).Our multi-center study identified factors of higher patient satisfaction, like NAC preservation and absence of radiotherapy, in order to help breast surgeons make better decisions about individualized reconstruction plan.