title: Which breast is the best? Successful autologous or alloplastic breast reconstruction: patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast reconstruction is an appropriate option offered to women who are diagnosed with breast cancer or gene mutations. It may be accomplished with implants or autologous procedures. This cross-sectional study evaluated the satisfaction and quality of life in addition to complications and secondary corrections in women after successful autologous or alloplastic (implant) breast reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women were included after successful breast reconstruction. The BREAST-Q instrument and standardized questionnaires on depression, recurrence concerns, and anxiety were sent by mail to the participants. In addition, data were collected on complications and secondary corrections. Multiple regression analysis and chi-square tests were applied to evaluate differences between the autologous breast reconstruction group (n = 47) and the implant breast reconstruction group (n = 45).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with a successful autologous reconstruction were significantly more satisfied with their reconstructed breasts than women with successful alloplastic breast reconstruction as measured with the BREAST-Q satisfaction with breasts module (p = 0.023). More women with an autologous breast reconstruction required secondary correction than women with an implant breast reconstruction (p = 0.012). Other findings did not differ between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autologous breast reconstruction leads to more satisfaction than does implant breast reconstruction, notwithstanding that women with an autologous breast reconstruction more often required a secondary correction. The study found no ideal breast reconstruction suitable for all patients. However, this study may inform patients and medical teams in making decisions about breast reconstruction. This pilot study indicated several questions that we plan to further investigate in a larger prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, III.
authors.affiliation: Groningen, The Netherlands From the Department of Plastic Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen.
authors.forename: Yassir
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Eltahir
authors.forename: Lisanne L C H
authors.initials: LLCH
authors.lastname: Werners
authors.forename: Marieke M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Dreise
authors.forename: Ingeborg A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Zeijlmans van Emmichoven
authors.forename: Paul M N
authors.initials: PMN
authors.lastname: Werker
authors.forename: Geertruida H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: de Bock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019928:Breast Implantation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous