J Reconstr Microsurg 2017; 33(07): 483-492
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1602785
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Psychosocial and Aesthetic Advantages of Reconstruction after Prophylactic Mastectomy: A Quality of Life and Aesthetic Analysis

Michele A. Manahan
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Pablo A. Baltodano
2   Division of Plastic Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
,
Myrna Eliann Reinhardt
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Li Xie
3   Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
4   Department of Research Administration, Nemours Biomedical Research, Wilmington, Delaware
,
Justin C. Muste
5   Division of Plastic Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
,
Rehan Tajamal
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Raja Mohan
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
José M. Flores
6   Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Carolyn Drogt
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Carisa M. Cooney
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Gedge D. Rosson
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

30 April 2016

23 March 2017

Publication Date:
12 June 2017 (online)

Abstract

Background Proper patient counseling regarding reconstruction after prophylactic mastectomy (PM) requires greater understanding of quality of life (QoL) and aesthetic outcomes. Our study evaluates these end points using the validated BREAST-Q and Garbay system.

Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of 1,254 mastectomy patients (July 2008 through July 2012). Of those with completed preoperative BREAST-Q and reconstruction with a minimum of 6-month follow-up, 18 underwent bilateral PM (BPM), 36 underwent contralateral PM (CPM), and 30 matched controls were selected who underwent unilateral therapeutic mastectomy (TM) with contralateral symmetry procedure. Preoperative and 6-month postreconstruction BREAST-Q scores were compared within and between groups. Subsequently, aesthetic evaluation of 21 of a group of randomly selected reconstructions (7 TM, 7 CPM, and 7 BPM) was performed by 14 plastic surgery researchers. Potential correlations between aesthetic evaluations and QoL outcomes were examined.

Results Demographic characteristics, preoperative satisfaction scores, and postoperative morbidity rates were similar among all three groups. Although reconstruction after BPM was associated with improved aesthetic outcomes (p < 0.001), a significant postoperative increase in satisfaction with breasts was noted only in the TM group (p = 0.006). CPM was associated with improved psychosocial well-being (p = 0.039) in our study. No further significant differences were noted.

Conclusion Although BPM with reconstruction is associated with higher aesthetic outcomes compared with CPM or TM, QoL is not significantly increased. Reconstruction after CPM, but not BPM, is associated with increased psychosocial well-being. These valuable findings should be taken into account during preoperative counseling regarding elective PMs.

 
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