Unilateral breast reconstruction after mastectomy - patient satisfaction, aesthetic outcome and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of women undergo a breast reconstruction (BR) after treatment for breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate patient-reported esthetic satisfaction, quality of life (QoL), and the association between these, following different types of BR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All women who underwent unilateral BR in Central Denmark Region between January 2005 and July 2011 were included. Participants were sent a questionnaire package, which included the Body Image Scale, The Beck Depression Inventory, the Impact of Event Scale, and a study-specific patient-reported esthetic satisfaction scale. Additionally, patients were asked if they experienced a change in QoL owing to the BR. Based on reconstructive method and timing, participants were divided into four groups, three delayed: an abdominal flap group, a latissimus dorsi flap group, an implant ± thoracodorsal flap group; and one immediate BR group. RESULTS: Of 166 eligible participants, a total of 144 women (87%) completed the questionnaire. The mean follow-up was 3.8 years. Esthetic satisfaction differed significantly between groups [F(3,139) = 8.55; p < 0.001], with abdominal flap recipients reporting the highest levels of esthetic satisfaction. No between-group differences were observed for the remaining psychosocial measures. Higher satisfaction with esthetic outcome was associated with reporting higher QoL owing to the BR (odds ratio 1.10, p<0.001; 95% CI 1.06-1.15). CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal flap recipients expressed higher satisfaction with their esthetic outcome, compared to the remaining BR types. Higher esthetic satisfaction was strongly associated with reporting an experience of higher QoL.