Radiation and depression associated with complications of tissue expander reconstruction

Consequences and Predictors of Prolonged Tissue Expander Duration in Breast Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

 Tissue expanders (TEs) are temporary devices used in breast reconstruction, which are generally removed within 1 year. There is a paucity of data regarding the potential consequences when TEs have longer indwelling times. Thus, we aim to determine whether prolonged TE implantation length is associated with TE-related complications.

METHODS

 This is a single-center retrospective review of patients who underwent TE placement for breast reconstruction from 2015 to 2021. Complications were compared between patients who had a TE for >1 year and <1 year. Univariate and multivariate regressions were used to evaluate predictors of TE complications.

RESULTS

 A total of 582 patients underwent TE placement and 12.2% had the expander for >1 year. Adjuvant chemoradiation, body mass index (BMI), overall stage, and diabetes predicted the duration of TE placement (p ≤ 0.006). Rate of return to the operating room was higher in patients who had TEs in place >1 year (22.5 vs 6.1%, p < 0.001). On multivariate regression, prolonged TE duration predicted an infection requiring antibiotics, readmission, and reoperation (p < 0.001). Reasons for longer indwelling times included need for additional chemoradiation (79.4%), TE infections (12.7%), and requesting a break from surgery (6.3%).

CONCLUSION

 Indwelling TEs for >1 year are associated with higher rates of infection, readmission, and reoperation even when controlling for adjuvant chemoradiation. Patients with diabetes, a higher BMI, advanced cancer stage, and those requiring adjuvant chemoradiation should be advised they may require a TE for a longer time interval prior to final reconstruction.

Preoperative Body Image Factors Are Associated with Complications after Breast Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Psychological factors are broadly understood to contribute to overall health, but their contribution to wound healing is less well defined. Limited data exist on the association of preoperative psychological factors such as body image and postoperative complications. The present study analyzed the association between preoperative body image factors and postoperative complications following breast reconstruction.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of 302 breast cancer patients undergoing breast reconstruction from 2011 to 2015. All patients completed the BREAST-Q; demographics, surgical details, and postoperative complications were recorded. The association of body image factors by means of the BREAST-Q and postoperative complications was analyzed.

RESULTS

On univariate analysis, patients who reported lower preoperative satisfaction with how they appeared in the mirror unclothed, or felt less self-confident or attractive, were significantly more likely to develop an infection postoperatively. Preoperative satisfaction scores were not associated with complications when analyzed in a multivariate fashion. On binomial logistic regression analysis, after controlling for age, body mass index, reconstruction technique, and use of radiotherapy, patients who reported less preoperative satisfaction with how comfortably bras fit or how they appeared in a mirror unclothed were at an increased risk for delayed wound healing.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with lower preoperative body satisfaction were found to have an increased incidence of infections and delayed wound healing. Although postoperative outcomes are multifactorial, the data suggest that baseline psychological factors such as body image may play a role in postoperative outcomes. Broader use of prehabilitative therapies, targeted at psychosocial factors, may warrant further investigation to optimize postoperative outcomes.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Risk, III.

Complicated Wound Closure Following Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction incidence increased, including preventive surgery. In this context, providing women best surgical care and results is crucial, with minimum complications, such as wound dehiscence and skin flap necrosis. Tension-free closure of skin flaps is mandatory for successful healing. However, since this is not always possible, various techniques have been developed to reduce tension from wound-margins, facilitate primary wound-closure, and minimize and improve scarring. These techniques have not been investigated in breast surgeries. The aim of this study was to describe our experience with the Tension-Relief System in mastectomy and breast reconstructive patients, and the advantages of using this technique. The retrospective cohort consisted of 13 breasts of 11 women aged 29-74 years who underwent surgery with primary wound-closure using the System, in 2019-2020 in our department. It was applied averagely 19.7 days, demonstrated effectiveness in preventing complications and as secondary treatment following complications. This enabled avoiding further and more extensive surgeries, including donor-site morbidity when needed. In mastectomy and breast-reconstruction, the System minimizes complications and yields satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes, with minimal inconvenience to the patient, and good pain-control. The technique is low-cost, simple to use, and does not require special settings, surgical equipment, or particular skills.

International multidisciplinary expert panel consensus on breast reconstruction and radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Conflicting evidence challenges clinical decision-making when breast reconstruction is considered in the context of radiotherapy. Current literature was evaluated and key statements on topical issues were generated and discussed by an expert panel at the International Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Meeting in Milan 2017.

METHODS

Studies on radiotherapy and breast reconstruction (1985 to September 2017) were screened using MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL. The literature review yielded 30 controversial key questions. A set of key statements was derived and the highest levels of clinical evidence (LoE) for each of these were summarized. Nineteen panellists convened for dedicated discussions at the International Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Meeting to express agreement, disagreement or abstention for the generated key statements.

RESULTS

The literature review identified 1522 peer-reviewed publications. A list of 22 key statements was produced, with the highest LoE recorded for each statement. These ranged from II to IV, with most statements (11 of 22, 50 per cent) supported by LoE III. There was full consensus for nine (41 per cent) of the 22 key statements, and more than 75 per cent agreement was reached for half (11 of 22).

CONCLUSION

Poor evidence exists on which to base patient-informed consent. Low-quality studies are conflicting with wide-ranging treatment options, precluding expert consensus regarding optimal type and timing of breast reconstruction in the context of radiotherapy. There is a need for high-quality evidence from prospective registries and randomized trials in this field.

Comparison of survival outcomes of locally advanced breast cancer patients receiving post-mastectomy radiotherapy with and without immediate breast reconstruction: a population-based analysis

Objective

To compare the survival outcomes in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients receiving post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) with and without immediate breast reconstruction.

Methods

We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program to include LABC patients who were treated/not treated with immediate breast reconstruction followed by PMRT between 2003 and 2010. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-squared test, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and Cox regression analysis. A 1:1 propensity score matching method was performed to decrease the selection bias.

Results

We identified 1,732 patient-pairs that were completely matched. In the unmatched population, 8,198 and 1,802 patients received mastectomy only and immediate breast reconstruction, respectively. Patients who received immediate breast reconstruction had better breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.880, 95% CI 0.783–0.989, P = 0.032) and overall survival (OS) (HR 0.846, 95% CI 0.758–0.943, P = 0.003) than patients who underwent mastectomy alone. However, in the matched population, there was comparable BCSS and OS between patients who received immediate breast reconstruction and mastectomy alone. Subset analysis in the matched population found that immediate breast reconstruction was associated with better BCSS (HR 0.750, 95% CI 0.614–0.917, P = 0.005) and OS (HR 0.779, 95% CI 0.644–0.942, P = 0.010) compared to patients aged <50 years who received mastectomy alone.

Conclusion

There are comparable survival outcomes in LABC patients who received immediate breast reconstruction or mastectomy alone followed by PMRT. However, patients aged <50 years had a survival advantage after immediate breast reconstruction.

Protocol for the BRECAR study: a prospective cohort follow-up on the impact of breast reconstruction timing on health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer

INTRODUCTION

The completion of postmastectomy breast reconstruction (BR) in women with breast cancer can last from months to years, and to our knowledge, there is a lack of studies that analyse how the different types and times of reconstruction impact on the patient's quality of life and psychosocial adjustment.The primary aim of the BREast Cancer Reconstruction (BRECAR Study) is twofold. First, to describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL), overall satisfaction with surgery and psychological impact (body image, self-esteem, depression and anxiety) on women who will have undergone a mastectomy with planned BR, considering the varied timing of BR procedures (immediate BR (iBR), delayed BR (dBR) and two-stage BR (2sBR)). To measure the impact on surgical outcomes, we will obtain data prior to and after surgery (6-9 and at 18 months of follow-up). Second, to analyse sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial factors associated with HRQoL, satisfaction with surgery and psychological impact.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A prospective, observational, clinical cohort study of women diagnosed with breast cancer who have an indication for mastectomy treated at La Paz University Hospital (Madrid, Spain).Patients will be classified into one of three groups under conditions of routine clinical practice, based on the type of BR planned: the iBR group, the dBR group and the 2sBR group.Under typical clinical practice conditions, we will perform three visits: baseline visit (presurgery), V1 (6-9 months after diagnosis) and V2 (18 months after diagnosis). A sample size of 210 patients is estimated.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol and informed consent form have been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of La Paz Hospital (no. PI-2036). Dissemination of results will be via journal articles and conference presentations.