Chest and upper body morbidity following immediate postmastectomy breast reconstruction

Ann Surg Oncol. 2014 Jan;21(1):107-12. doi: 10.1245/s10434-013-3231-z. Epub 2013 Nov 8.

Abstract

Objective: The performance of a mastectomy for the treatment or prophylaxis of breast cancer may have long-term implications for both physical and mental well-being in women. The development of breast numbness and phantom breast sensations following mastectomy is well-known; however, relatively little is known about physical morbidity following postmastectomy breast reconstruction. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the level of physical morbidity experienced following three surgical approaches: mastectomy alone, postmastectomy tissue expander/implant reconstruction, and postmastectomy autogenous tissue reconstruction.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a sample of women who had undergone mastectomy with or without reconstruction. Chest and upper body morbidity were evaluated using the BREAST-Q. Physical well-being was compared across three types of breast surgery.

Results: In total, 308 of 452 women who received a questionnaire booklet returned completed questionnaires. There was an overall difference in physical morbidity attributable to surgical treatment (P < 0.001). Patients who underwent autogenous tissue reconstruction had the highest (i.e., best) mean physical well-being score. Women who underwent expander/implant reconstruction also had less chronic physical morbidity than women who underwent mastectomy alone (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that women who undergo immediate autogenous tissue reconstruction experience significantly less chest and upper body morbidity than those who undergo either mastectomy with implant-based reconstruction or mastectomy alone. This information can be used to facilitate clinical decision-making, to validate individual experiences of breast cancer survivors, and to inform future innovations to decrease the long-term physical morbidity associated with breast cancer surgery.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / surgery
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Mammaplasty / adverse effects*
  • Mastectomy / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Morbidity
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology*
  • Muscle Weakness / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Prognosis
  • Quality of Life
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Surgical Flaps
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Thoracic Wall / pathology*
  • Tissue Expansion Devices