Cost-effectiveness analysis of implants versus autologous perforator flaps using the BREAST-Q Journal Article


Authors: Matros, E.; Albornoz, C. R.; Razdan, S. N.; Mehrara, B. J.; MacAdam, S. A.; Ro, T.; McCarthy, C. M.; Disa, J. J.; Cordeiro, P. G.; Pusic, A. L.
Article Title: Cost-effectiveness analysis of implants versus autologous perforator flaps using the BREAST-Q
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Reimbursement has been recognized as a physician barrier to autologous reconstruction. Autologous reconstructions are more expensive than prosthetic reconstructions, but provide greater health-related quality of life. The authors' hypothesis is that autologous tissue reconstructions are cost-effective compared with prosthetic techniques when considering health-related quality of life and patient satisfaction. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis from the payer perspective, including patient input, was performed for unilateral and bilateral reconstructions with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps and implants. The effectiveness measure was derived using the BREAST-Q and interpreted as the cost for obtaining 1 year of perfect breast health-related quality-adjusted life-year. Costs were obtained from the 2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was generated. A sensitivity analysis for age and stage at diagnosis was performed. RESULTS: BREAST-Q scores from 309 patients with implants and 217 DIEP flap reconstructions were included. The additional cost for obtaining 1 year of perfect breast-related health for a unilateral DIEP flap compared with implant reconstruction was $11,941. For bilateral DIEP flaps compared with implant reconstructions, the cost for an additional breast health-related quality-adjusted life-year was $28,017. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the cost for an additional breast health-related quality-adjusted life-year for DIEP flaps compared with implants was less for younger patients and earlier stage breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: DIEP flaps are cost-effective compared with implants, especially for unilateral reconstructions. Cost-effectiveness of autologous techniques is maximized in women with longer life expectancy. Patient-reported outcomes findings can be incorporated into cost-effectiveness analyses to demonstrate the relative value of reconstructive procedures.
Keywords: adult; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; patient satisfaction; young adult; perforator flap; comparative study; quality of life; breast neoplasms; breast reconstruction; mammaplasty; economics; breast implants; cost-benefit analysis; decision trees; cost benefit analysis; procedures; decision tree; breast implant; very elderly; humans; human; female; evaluation study
Journal Title: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Volume: 135
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0032-1052
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2015-04-01
Start Page: 937
End Page: 946
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000001134
PUBMED: 25517411
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 2 July 2015 -- 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. Colleen Marie McCarthy
    143 McCarthy
  7. Shantanu N Razdan
    18 Razdan
  8. Teresa   Ro
    4 Ro