title: Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Life in DIEAP Flap versus Implant Breast Reconstruction.
abstract: The psychological impact of breast reconstruction has widely been described, and multiple studies show that reconstruction improves the well-being and quality of life of patients. In breast reconstruction, the goal is not only the morphological result, but mainly the patient's perception of it. The objective of our study is to compare the physical and psychosocial well-being and satisfaction concerning the body image of patients who had reconstruction with breast implants to those of patients who had reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps. Our results demonstrated a similar quality of life between the two groups, but the satisfaction level was significantly higher in patients who had reconstruction with autologous tissue. Feedback from patients who have already received breast reconstruction may be useful in the decision-making process for future patients and plastic surgeons, enabling both to choose the reconstructive technique with the best long-term satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sgarzani
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Negosanti
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo Giovanni
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Morselli
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vietti Michelina
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, Asl 1 of Umbria, Citta di Castello, Località Chioccolo, 06012 Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi Maria
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lapalorcia
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cipriani