title: The psychological contribution of nipple addition in breast reconstruction.
abstract: Two groups of consecutive patients from two different plastic surgical practice populations were evaluated to determine psychosocial differences between those who underwent nipple-areola reconstruction in addition to breast reconstruction (N = 33) versus those who did not undergo nipple-areola reconstruction in addition to breast reconstruction (N = 26). Psychological assessment consisted of a standardized symptom inventory (Brief Symptom Inventory) and a specially designed self-report questionnaire investigating reactions unique to surgeries for breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Both groups were equivalent sociodemographically, with the exception of age, where the nipple-added group was significantly younger (P = 0.035) than the nipple-not-added group. The nipple-added group reported significantly greater satisfaction with breast reconstruction with regard to overall satisfaction (P = 0.004), satisfaction with size (P = 0.02), satisfaction with softness (P = 0.0004), sexual sensitivity (P = 0.006), and satisfaction with nude appearance (P = 0.02). Of the nine scales of clinical symptomatology on the Brief Symptom Inventory, the nipple-added group showed more increased symptoms on seven of the nine. The nipple-added group was significantly higher on two of these scales, namely, paranoid ideation (P = 0.009) and anxiety (P = 0.03).
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles.
authors: D K
authors: DK
authors: Wellisch
authors: W S
authors: WS
authors: Schain
authors: R B
authors: RB
authors: Noone
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Little
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000601:surgery*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009558:Nipples / Q000601:surgery*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires