Does patient satisfaction with breast reconstruction change over time? Two-year results of the Michigan Breast Reconstruction Outcomes Study.
BACKGROUND
Previously, we found patient satisfaction with breast reconstruction at postoperative year 1 significantly higher in the autogenous tissue compared with the expander/implant population. But breast reconstructive procedures have different "aging" processes, and the point at which outcomes stabilize is unclear. So we evaluated patient satisfaction with breast reconstruction at postoperative year 2 and compared the results with those from our previous study.


METHODS
As part of the Michigan Breast Reconstruction Outcomes Study, women undergoing mastectomy reconstruction (including expander/implants and pedicle and free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps [TRAM]) were prospectively evaluated. Preoperatively and at postoperative years 1 and 2, women completed a questionnaire that collected a variety of validated health status information. The postoperative questionnaire had an additional seven items assessing both general and esthetic satisfaction as separate subscales. To assess the effects of procedure on satisfaction and control for possible confounding, multiple logistic regression was used.


RESULTS
At year 2, patients with TRAM flaps (both free and pedicle) continued to have higher levels of esthetic satisfaction compared with expander/implant patients (odds ratio 2.8, p < 0.01). But no significant differences were appreciated in esthetic satisfaction between women with free and pedicle TRAM flaps. In regard to general satisfaction, the type of reconstruction (expander/implant, pedicle TRAM, and free TRAM) had no statistically significant effect.


CONCLUSIONS
At postoperative year 2, procedural differences initially found in women's general satisfaction with breast reconstruction diminish. Specifically, women with pedicle TRAM flaps, free TRAM flaps, and expander/implants had similar levels of general satisfaction. But at year 2, patients continue to be more esthetically satisfied with autogenous tissue than with expander/implant reconstructions.
Alderman
Amy K
AK
Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Michigan, Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0340, USA.
Kuhn
Latoya E
LE
Lowery
Julie C
JC
Wilkins
Edwin G
EG
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome