title: The effect of timing of postmastectomy radiation on implant-based breast reconstruction: a retrospective comparison of complication outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The optimal timing of postmastectomy radiation for women undergoing delayed permanent implant exchange continues to remain controversial. The objective of our study is to compare complication rates when tissue expanders are exchanged for permanent implants pre- vs postradiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of 54 consecutive patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction and received postmastectomy radiation was conducted. Complications including infection, implant loss, and capsular contracture (measured in Baker score) were compared between the 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the patients studied, 32 patients had radiation before placement of permanent implants, whereas 22 patients received radiation after implant placement. There was no difference in individual complication rates between the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study of 54 patients, the timing of radiation did not affect individual complication rates for patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction after immediate tissue expander placement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St John Hospital and Medical Center, 22151 Moross Suite 212, Detroit, MI 48236, USA. Electronic address: patrick.collier@stjohn.org.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St John Hospital and Medical Center, 22151 Moross Suite 212, Detroit, MI 48236, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St John Hospital and Medical Center, 22151 Moross Suite 212, Detroit, MI 48236, USA.
authors.forename: Gautam
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Edhayan
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St John Hospital and Medical Center, 22151 Moross Suite 212, Detroit, MI 48236, USA.
authors.forename: Kamala
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanneganti
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St John Hospital and Medical Center, 22151 Moross Suite 212, Detroit, MI 48236, USA.
authors.forename: Elango
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Edhayan
mesh_terms: D019928:Breast Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D015626:Tissue Expansion; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Capsular contracture; Implant-based breast reconstruction; Postmastectomy radiation