Age Impacts Surgical Outcomes for Breast Reconstruction

FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2024 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing breast reconstruction after mastectomy, age impacts surgical outcomes, with older age negatively correlated with the Satisfaction with Breasts domain of the BREAST-Q, but positively correlated with Psychosocial Well-Being, according to a study published in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Minji Kim, from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent autologous (ABR) or implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) after mastectomy to examine the impact of age on complications and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) measured preoperatively, at six months, and at one to five years postoperatively.

The study included 4,730 patients: 32.5 and 67.5 percent underwent ABR and IBR, respectively. The researchers observed a significant association for older age with an increased risk for developing mastectomy skin flap/nipple necrosis, infection, and seroma. A negative correlation was seen for older age with the Satisfaction with Breasts domain of the BREAST-Q, while a positive correlation was seen with the Psychosocial Well-Being domain. There was no correlation observed for older age with the Physical Well-Being of the Chest or Sexual Well-Being domains. Different complications and PRO profiles were seen in subgroup analyses of ABR and IBR patients.

“Older patients should be informed about the potential associated risks and anticipated PROs,” the authors write. “Surgeons and patients can also use our findings to optimize older patients” postoperative satisfaction.”

Authors disclosed ties to RTI Surgical, MirrorMe3D, Pfizer, Regeneron, Atyr, Integra, and PureTech.

Abstract/Full Text