Analysis of satisfaction and quality of life of 54 patients after breast reconstruction: a retrospective study

Objective This is a study to evaluate complication rate, satisfaction and quality of life after breast reconstruction under different classifications. The classification criteria are the timing of operation, surgical procedures, and patients′age. Methods By reviewing the surgical cases from August 2004 to June 2018, the authors summarized the data of 102 patients with breast reconstruction of the same surgeon in Peking University People′s Hospital and Plastic Surgery Hospital (Institute) CAMS PUMC. Fifty-four patients who met the inclusion criteria and completed the BREAST-Q breast reconstruction module scale, were divided into immediate group or delayed group, according to the timing of operation; divided into abdomen group or other procedures group, according to the surgical procedure; and divided into the young patients′group or senior patients′group according to age. The index were (1) postoperative complication rate, (2)satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial well-being, physical well-being of chest and abdomen, sexual well-being, satisfaction with outcome, satisfaction with information, satisfaction with care (based on the BREAST-Q scale). Results Complication rate was 9.1%(1/11) in the immediate group, 16.3%(7/43) in the delayed group, 14.7%(5/34) in the abdomen group, 15.0%(3/20) in other procedures group, 13.6%(3/22) in the young patients′group, and 15.6%(5/32) in the senior patients′group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications (P>0.05). The postoperative scores of satisfaction with breasts, psychological well-being and sexual well-being were significantly higher in the immediate group than in the delayed group(P=0.026, P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively). The score of postoperative physical well-being of chest was significantly higher in the abdomen group than other procedures group(P=0.020). The score physical well-being of abdomen was lower compared with the preoperative in the abdomen group (P<0.001). The score of physical well-being of abdomen was lower in the senior patients′group than that of the young patients′group (P=0.010). Conclusions The complication incidence of breast reconstruction patients was similar among different groups. The breast reconstruction surgery can significantly improve satisfaction and quality of life of patients. To some extent, immediate breast reconstruction can reduce the psychological and physiological effects of breast loss on patients, leading to higher postoperative satisfaction. Breast reconstruction with abdominal flaps can provide patients with better chest health but poor abdomen health. Although elderly patients undergoing breast reconstruction will have poor physical well-being of abdomen, they can still achieve higher satisfaction of operation. Key words: Breast reconstruction; BREAST-Q; Complication; General satisfaction