title: Patient satisfaction with breast reconstruction.
abstract: Thirty-two women were surveyed to assess their satisfaction with breast reconstruction after mastectomy for cancer. Most reconstructions consisted of a submuscular implant, and were performed after an average interval of 11.3 months. The procedures averaged 2.4 per individual, and nearly half of the women reported requiring an operation on the opposite breast to attain symmetry. Despite the fact that 60% of the reconstructions resulted in a complication or complaint, women reported that they felt more balanced and whole and less depressed, and all were glad that they had breast reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Corsten
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Suduikis
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Donegan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014922:Wisconsin