title: An evaluation of patient reported outcomes following breast reconstruction utilizing Breast Q.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast Q questionnaire measures patient's perceptions following breast reconstruction using quality of life and satisfaction. This study assessed patient reported outcomes following mastectomy and reconstruction utilizing Breast Q.
  
  
  METHODS
  All consecutive Letterkenny Hospital patients undergoing mastectomy and breast reconstruction between August 2008 and February 2011 were invited to complete Breast Q evaluation of their care. Collected data included: age; presenting complaint, height, weight; type of operation. RUMM 2020 program evaluated satisfaction where 0 is very dissatisfied to 100 very satisfied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  30/33 (91%) patients completed Breast Q; mean age 43 ± 11 (range 29-64); mean BMI 27.3 ± 5 (range 21.7-43.1). 27 patients were symptomatic, and 3 were image detected. 23 had a latissimus dorsi reconstruction, 11 of these with implant augmentation, 5 had a DIEP and 2 implant only reconstruction. The mean satisfaction score of 79.7 indicating good to excellent results. Post reconstructive outcomes were not statistically different from pre-operative perceptions in key areas such as satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial and sexual well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identified outcomes as good as if not superior to international averages with preservation of satisfaction with breast and psychosocial well-being. Breast Q could help form a template for national benchmarks in patients undergoing mastectomy and reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery, Letterkenny and Galway University Hospitals, Ireland National University, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sugrue
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery, Letterkenny and Galway University Hospitals, Ireland National University, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: MacGregor
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery, Letterkenny and Galway University Hospitals, Ireland National University, Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: michael.sugrue@hse.ie.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugrue
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery, Letterkenny and Galway University Hospitals, Ireland National University, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery, Letterkenny and Galway University Hospitals, Ireland National University, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome