The influence of sociodemographic factors and hospital characteristics on the method of breast reconstruction, including microsurgery: A U.S. population-based study Journal Article


Authors: Albornoz, C. R.; Bach, P. B.; Pusic, A. L.; McCarthy, C. M.; Mehrara, B. J.; Disa, J. J.; Cordeiro, P. G.; Matros, E.
Article Title: The influence of sociodemographic factors and hospital characteristics on the method of breast reconstruction, including microsurgery: A U.S. population-based study
Abstract: Background:: Microsurgical breast reconstruction has gained popularity because of associations with decreased abdominal morbidity and high satisfaction. Nationwide use of these procedures is unknown. Although many factors can influence the method of breast reconstruction, sociodemographic and hospital characteristics have not been specifically evaluated. The authors studied the importance of microsurgical flaps among the techniques available for breast reconstruction and evaluated the effect of sociodemographic and hospital characteristics on the technique chosen. Methods:: A cross-sectional study of breast reconstructions was performed using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for 2008. National estimates of breast reconstructive procedures including microsurgery were obtained. Impact of variables on reconstructive method was analyzed using logistic regression. Results:: Among women undergoing breast reconstruction in 2008, implants were the most common procedure (60.5 percent), followed by pedicled flaps (34 percent) and microsurgical flaps (5.5 percent). Multivariable analysis showed that women aged 50 to 59 years, treated at teaching hospitals, with private insurance, or undergoing delayed reconstruction were more likely to have autologous than implant reconstruction. Implant use was associated with young patients, Caucasians, Asians, higher income, and all regions except the Northeast. Analysis of autologous reconstructions showed the likelihood for a microsurgical versus a pedicle flap was greater in teaching hospitals, private insurance carriers, and delayed reconstructions. Conclusions:: Microsurgical techniques are currently used in only a minority of reconstructions. Sociodemographic variables and teaching hospital status influence the method of breast reconstruction. The presence of disparities in care suggests that current decision making for breast reconstruction is not based solely on patient preference or anatomical features. © 2012 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Journal Title: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Volume: 129
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0032-1052
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2012-05-01
Start Page: 1071
End Page: 1079
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e31824a29c5
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 22544091
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 4 June 2012" - "CODEN: PRSUA" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Joseph Disa
    262 Disa
  2. Andrea Pusic
    300 Pusic
  3. Babak Mehrara
    448 Mehrara
  4. Peter G Cordeiro
    282 Cordeiro
  5. Evan Matros
    202 Matros
  6. Peter Bach
    255 Bach
  7. Colleen Marie McCarthy
    143 McCarthy