Custom-made nipple prosthesis: a long-term satisfaction survey.
BACKGROUND
Nipple-areola reconstruction or prosthesis completes the process of breast reconstruction. Although custom made nipple prosthesis (CNP) have been used for almost 10 years, little follow-up data on patient satisfaction is available. We assessed long-term patient satisfaction with CNP.


METHODS
All patients undergoing CNP from 2000 to 2001 were sent anonymous postal questionnaires. Perceived benefit and satisfaction with size, colour, and projection, were assessed using a modified Likart scale (1 not satisfied, 5 very satisfied). Results are expressed as median and interquartile range (IQR).


RESULTS
Of 52 patients who had CNP, 29 responded to the questionnaire (56% response rate), median age (IQR) 56.1 years (52-61). The median time since CNP was 2 years (0.6-3), 67% felt they had benefited from the prosthesis and 39% wore their CNP regularly. Most patients were highly satisfied with CNP size, colour and projection, median score 5 (4-5) for each variable. Patients with CNP Patients with CNP < 3 years were more likely to be satisfied with CNP than those with CNP for = 3 years, 60% vs 18%, p = 0.04. Patients who were satisfied with their CNP (median age 52.9 years, IQR 45.3-59.2 years), were younger than patients not satisfied with their CNP (median age 59 years, IQR 54.7-62 years), p = 0.031, Z = -2.16. Three patients had subsequent nipple reconstruction, a further 7 (24%) wanted nipple reconstruction. All respondents thought CNP should be offered at the time of initial surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients are highly satisfied with CNP, with highest satisfaction in the first 3 years after CNP. CNP should be offered at the time of initial surgery.
Janes
Simon
S
Department of Surgery, New Cross hospital, Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP, United Kingdom.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009558:Nipples / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction