Symmetrisation procedures in breast reconstruction patients constitute a rising workload in our DGH

Immediate versus Delayed Contralateral Breast Symmetrisation in Breast Reconstruction with Latissimus dorsi Flap: A Comparative Study

To achieve symmetry in unilateral free flap breast reconstruction often requires a contralateral procedure. There is no evidence in the literature to support the benefit of immediate contralateral breast symmetrisation concomitant to breast reconstruction. We hypothesized that performing a simultaneous contralateral balancing operation at the time as the initial reconstruction might provide immediate symmetry and minimize the frequency of secondary procedures. Thus, we performed a comparative study on this issue. A comparative retrospective study was conducted on 78 consecutive patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction surgery with latissimus dorsi (LD) flap and contralateral breast symmetrisation from January 2014 to June 2016 at Turku University Hospital. Exclusion criteria included other breast reconstruction techniques and no contralateral symmetrisation at follow-up. The patients were divided according to the timing of contralateral breast balancing operation into an immediate versus a delayed group. Postoperative complications, outcomes, and re-operations were compared. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the groups except for comorbidity, which was significantly higher in the immediate group. Mastectomy weights (735.6 vs. 390.7 g, p = 0.015), contralateral breast reduction weights (268.3 vs. 105.8 g, p = 0.014), and implant size (218.9 vs. 138.9 g, p = 0.001) were significantly larger in the immediate group. No significant differences in any kind of complications were detected. Similarly, the rates of re-operations were similar among the groups (24.0 vs. 43.3%, p = 0.134). Performing immediate symmetrisation at the time of breast reconstruction is safe and feasible in autologous LD breast reconstructions, where 76% did not require a second operation for symmetry. There were no differences in the rate of any re-operation and, therefore, performance of simultaneous contralateral reduction is a reasonable option.

Impact of Contralateral Symmetry Procedures on Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes following Unilateral Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

 One aim of unilateral postmastectomy breast reconstruction (BR) is to restore symmetry with the contralateral breast. As such, unilateral prosthetic reconstruction often requires a contralateral symmetry procedure (CSP). There is sparse literature on the impact of CSPs on long-term patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aims to describe PROs following CSPs, using a validated PRO tool, BREAST-Q. The hypothesis is that CSPs are associated with greater patient-reported satisfaction and HRQoL.

METHODS

 This study is a single institutional analysis of prospectively collected BREAST-Q scores of patients who underwent unilateral prosthetic BR during 2011 to 2015. Women 18 years and older with BREAST-Q scores measured ≥ 9months after BR with or without CSP(s) at the time of expander replacement were included. Patients were classified into four subcohorts: augmentation, mastopexy, reduction, and no symmetry procedure (controls). Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and BREAST-Q scores were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression was performed.

RESULTS

 Of 553 patients, 67 (12%) underwent contralateral augmentation, 68 (12%) mastopexy, 93(17%) reduction, and 325 (59%) were controls. Mean follow-up time was 52 months. Satisfaction with breast and outcomes were higher in the augmentation compared with the control groups (p = 0.01). On multivariable analysis, augmentation remained an independent predictor of satisfaction with breast (p = 0.04). Physical well-being scores were lower for contralateral mastopexy and reduction compared with the controls with a trend toward statistical significance on multivariable models. Psychological and sexual well-being was similar across groups.

CONCLUSION

 Prosthetic reconstruction with contralateral breast augmentation was associated with greater satisfaction with breast and reconstructive outcome. In contrast, breast reduction and mastopexy procedures demonstrated equivalent satisfaction with breasts compared with controls but may be associated with lower physical well-being. Such information can be used to improve the shared decision-making process for women who choose unilateral prosthetic BR.