Evaluations of aesthetic outcomes of oncoplastic surgery by surgeons of different gender and specialty: a prospective controlled study.

This prospective trial was designed to assess aesthetic outcomes of oncoplastic surgery. Standardized photographs were taken of 45 breast cancer patients undergoing oncoplastic surgery, preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively (oncoplastic group), and of 45 patients treated by conservative surgery without breast reconstruction (control group). Photographs were assessed by senior male and female physicians, 2 breast surgeons and 2 plastic surgeons. Aesthetic outcomes were evaluated using patients' own assessments (rated 0 to 10) and scoring by panelists (using 0 to 10 global rating scales and a subscales system). Patients in both groups scored the aesthetic outcomes better than physicians did. Panelists and patients considered aesthetic outcomes of oncoplastic group better than control group outcomes. Patients and plastic surgeons attributed progressively higher grades to outcomes of oncoplastic group at 6 and 12 months postoperatively; breast surgeons did not. Overall, female physicians and breast surgeons scored better the aesthetic outcomes of both groups.

Quality-of-life and self-esteem outcomes after oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery.

BACKGROUND: This prospective trial was designed to assess the impact of oncoplastic surgery on quality of life and self-esteem of breast cancer patients undergoing breast-conserving treatment. METHODS: Forty-five patients with primary breast cancer to be treated with breast-conserving surgery and immediate partial breast reconstruction were assessed with regard to quality-of-life and self-esteem outcomes preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Another 42 breast cancer patients, treated by conservative surgery without breast reconstruction at least 1 year previously, were assessed for the control group. Validated questionnaires (Short Form-36, Brazilian version, and the Rosenberg-EPM Self-Esteem Scale) were used. Data were analyzed by using the Mann-Whitney and Friedman tests. RESULTS: Participation rates at the follow-up assessments were 95.5 percent at the 6-month follow-up and 88.9 percent at the 12-month follow-up. Control and reconstruction groups were matched for age, body mass index, and demographic and oncologic aspects. At postoperative month 12, the breast reconstruction group had significantly better health status than the control group with regard to physical functioning (p < 0.000), health perception (p < 0.002), vitality (p < 0.007), social functioning (p < 0.02), role emotional (p < 0.02), mental health (p < 0.000), and self-esteem (p < 0.02). Compared with preoperatively, breast reconstruction group scores were significantly higher at 12 months postoperatively for seven of the eight dimensions of the Short Form-36: physical functioning (p < 0.01), role physical (p < 0.02), health perception (p < 0.02), vitality (p < 0.01), social functioning (p < 0.02), role emotional (p < 0.05), and mental health (p < 0.02). Self-esteem was also significantly better at 12 months (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: Oncoplastic surgery had a positive impact on quality of life and self-esteem of patients undergoing breast-conserving treatment.