Background: Current evidence for the effects of radiotherapy (RT) on implant-based immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is limited by short follow-up and lack of patient-reported outcomes (PROs). It is central to integrate long-term comprehensive outcome data into the preoperative decision-making process. The aim of the present study was to determine long-term surgical outcomes and PROs in relation to RT after implant-based IBR.
Methods: This was a longitudinal cohort study of PRO data obtained in surveys conducted in 2012 and 2020 using the BREAST-Q questionnaire. All women undergoing therapeutic mastectomy and implant-based IBR between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2011 at four breast centres in Stockholm, Sweden, were identified. The endpoint was implant removal owing to surgical complications or patient preference.
Results: Median follow-up was 120 (range 1-171) months. After 754 IBRs in 729 women, implant removal occurred in 128 (17 per cent): 34 of 386 (8.8 per cent) in the no-RT group, 20 of 64 (31.3 per cent) in the group with previous RT, and 74 of 304 (24.3 per cent) in the postoperative RT group (P < 0.001). Implant removal was because of surgical complications in 60 instances (7.9 per cent), and patient preference in 68 (9.0 per cent). The BREAST-Q response rate was 72.2 per cent. Women with previous RT scored lower than those without RT on all scales, apart from psychosocial well-being. Women with postoperative RT scored lower only on physical well-being. No scores in the two RT groups had deteriorated between the survey time points, whereas satisfaction with breasts and overall outcome had decreased in the no-RT group.
Conclusion: Although RT was significantly associated with higher implant removal rates, PROs remained stable over 8 years despite irradiation.
Current evidence for the effects of radiotherapy (RT) on implant-based immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is limited by short follow-up. The aim was to determine surgical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in relation to RT up to 13 years after implant-based IBR. After 754 implant-based breast reconstructions in 729 women in Stockholm, Sweden, implant removal was more common in irradiated than non-irradiated patients (P < 0.001). The response rate to the BREAST-Q questionnaire was 72.2 per cent. Women with previous RT scored lower than those without RT on all scales apart from psychosocial well-being. Women who had postoperative RT scored lower only on physical well-being. Although RT was significantly associated with higher implant removal rates, PROs remained stable despite irradiation.
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