Quality of life in breast reconstruction patients after irradiation to tissue expander: A propensity-matched preliminary analysis Journal Article


Authors: Polanco, T. O.; Shamsunder, M. G.; Parikh, R. P.; Chu, J. J.; McCarthy, C.; Tadros, A.; Matros, E.; Disa, J. J.; Mehrara, B. J.; Allen, R. J. Jr; Nelson, J. A.
Article Title: Quality of life in breast reconstruction patients after irradiation to tissue expander: A propensity-matched preliminary analysis
Abstract: Background:Tissue expanders (TEs) are routinely placed as a first step in breast reconstruction for women who require postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT). The final reconstruction can then be performed with implants or conversion to autologous tissues. The purpose of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes and surgical complications in autologous (ABR) versus implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) patients following TE-PMRT. Methods:The authors performed a propensity score preliminary analysis (1:1 matching, no replacement) in patients undergoing ABR or IBR following TE-PMRT. Matched covariates included age, race/ethnicity, smoking status, body mass index, history of psychiatric diagnosis, and laterality of reconstruction. Outcomes of interest included complications and BREAST-Q scores for Satisfaction with Breasts, Physical Well-Being of the Chest, Sexual Well-Being, and Psychosocial Well-Being domains. Results:Of 341 patients with TE-PMRT, a total of 106 patients were included in the matched analysis: 53 ABR patients and 53 IBR patients. ABR and IBR did not differ significantly in matched baseline, cancer, and surgical characteristics. ABR patients had higher scores for Satisfaction with Breasts (greater than the four-point minimal clinically important difference) at all postreconstruction time points compared with IBR patients (P < 0.05). There were no significant postoperative differences in other BREAST-Q domains. The incidence of complications after definitive reconstruction did not differ significantly among cohorts. Conclusions:In this matched preliminary analysis, patients who underwent ABR following irradiation to a TE demonstrated superior satisfaction with breast scores compared with IBR patients. Higher powered matched studies are needed to improve shared decision-making for patients who require mastectomy and PMRT as part of their treatment.
Keywords: mastectomy; radiotherapy; outcomes; paradigm; score; shift; postmastectomy radiation-therapy; prosthetic reconstruction
Journal Title: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Volume: 152
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0032-1052
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2023-08-01
Start Page: 259
End Page: 269
Language: English
ACCESSION: WOS:001038290600008
DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000010249
PROVIDER: wos
PMCID: PMC10390648
PUBMED: 36724013
Notes: The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledged in the PubMed record and PDF. Corresponding MSK authors are Robert J. Allen Jr and Jonas A. Nelson -- Source: Wos
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MSK Authors
  1. Joseph Disa
    263 Disa
  2. Babak Mehrara
    449 Mehrara
  3. Evan Matros
    203 Matros
  4. Colleen Marie McCarthy
    144 McCarthy
  5. Jonas Allan Nelson
    210 Nelson
  6. Audree Blythe Tadros
    116 Tadros
  7. Thais O Polanco
    24 Polanco
  8. Rajiv Prakash Parikh
    3 Parikh
  9. Jacqueline J. Chu
    27 Chu