Changes in Korean National Healthcare Insurance Policy and Breast Cancer Surgery Trend in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Since April 2015, the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) has reimbursed breast cancer patients, approximately 50% of the cost of the breast reconstruction (BR) procedure. We aimed to investigate NHI reimbursement policy influence on the rate of immediate BR (IBR) following total mastectomy (TM). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed breast cancer data between April 2011 and June 2016. We divided patients who underwent IBR following TM for primary breast cancer into "uninsured" and "insured" groups using their NHI statuses at the time of surgery. Univariate analyses determined the insurance influence on the decision to undergo IBR. RESULTS: Of 2,897 breast cancer patients, fewer uninsured patients (n = 625) underwent IBR compared with those insured (n = 325) (30.0% vs. 39.8%, P < 0.001). Uninsured patients were younger than those insured (median age [range], 43 [38-48] vs. 45 [40-50] years; P < 0.001). Pathologic breast cancer stage did not differ between the groups (P = 0.383). More insured patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.011), adjuvant radiotherapy (P < 0.001), and IBR with tissue expander insertion (P = 0.005) compared with those uninsured. CONCLUSION: IBR rate in patients undergoing TM increased after NHI reimbursement.

National trends and predictors of mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate national trends in utilization, resource use, and predictors of immediate breast reconstruction (IR) after mastectomy. METHODS: The 2005-2014 National Inpatient Sample database was used to identify adult women undergoing mastectomy. IR was defined as any reconstruction during the same inpatient stay. Multivariable regression models were utilized to identify factors associated with IR. RESULTS: Of 729,340 patients undergoing mastectomy, 41.3% received IR. Rates of IR increased from 28.2% in 2005 to 58.2% in 2014 (NP-trend<0.001). Compared to mastectomy alone, IR was associated with increased length of stay (2.5 vs. 2.1 days, P < 0.001) and hospitalization costs ($17,628 vs. $8,643, P < 0.001), which increased over time (P < 0.001). Predictors of IR included younger age, fewer comorbidities, White race, private insurance, top income quartile, teaching hospital designation, high mastectomy volume, and performance of bilateral mastectomy. CONCLUSION: Mastectomy with IR is increasingly performed with resource utilization rising at a steady pace. Our study points to persistent sociodemographic and hospital level disparities associated with the under-utilization of IR. Efforts are needed to alleviate disparities in IR.

Breast reconstruction patterns from a Swedish nation-wide survey.

OBJECTIVES: The overall aim of the Swedish Breast Reconstruction Outcome Study was to investigate national long-term outcomes after mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction. The current report evaluates breast reconstruction (BR) patterns in Sweden over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, registry-based study where all women operated with mastectomy 2000, 2005, 2010 were identified (N = 5853). Geographical differences in type of BR were investigated using heatmaps. Distribution of continuous variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test, categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test. RESULTS: Mean age at survey was 69 years (SD=±11.4) and response rate was 50%, responders were on average six years younger than the non-responders and had a more favourable tumor stage (both p < 0.01). Of the 2904 responders, 31% (895/2904) had received a BR: implant-based in 58% (516/895)autologous in 31% (281/895). BR was immediate in 20% (176/895) and delayed in 80% (719/895) women. Women with BR were on average one year older, more often had a normal BMI, reported to be married or had a partner, had a higher educational level and a higher annual income when compared to those without BR (all p < 0.001). The independent factors of not receiving BR were older age and given radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first national long-term follow-up study on women undergoing mastectomy with and without BR. Around 30% of the survey responders have had a BR with a significant geographical variation highlighting the importance of information, availability and standardisation of indications for BR.

Breast-contour preserving procedures for early-stage breast cancer: a population-based study of the trends, variation in practice and predictive characteristics in Denmark and the Netherlands.

PURPOSE: Breast-contour preservation (BCP) is possible for most women treated for early-stage breast cancer. BCP can be defined as primary breast-conserving treatment (BCT), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by BCT and immediate postmastectomy breast reconstruction (IBR). This study provides insight in current BCP strategies in Denmark and the Netherlands and aims to identify opportunities for improvement within both countries. METHODS: A total of 92,881 patients with early-stage breast cancer who were operated in Denmark and the Netherlands between 2012 and 2017 were selected from the Danish Breast Cancer Group and the Dutch National Breast Cancer Audit databases. BCP procedures and predictive factors were analyzed within and between both countries. RESULTS: BCP was achieved in 76.7% (n = 16,355) of the Danish and in 74.5% (n = 53,328) of the Dutch patients. While BCP rate did not change significantly over time in Denmark (p = 0.250), a significant increase in BCP rate from 69.5% in 2012 to 78.5% in 2017 (p < 0.001) was observed in the Netherlands. In both countries, variation in BCP rates between hospitals decreased over time. NAC followed by BCT and postmastectomy IBR was substantially more often used in the Netherlands compared to Denmark, specifically in patients younger than 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: In more than 75% of all Danish and Dutch patients, surgically treated for early-stage breast cancer, the breast-contour was preserved. The different use of BCP strategies within Denmark and the Netherlands and the differences observed between hospitals in both countries emphasize the need for more (inter)national consensus on treatment modalities.

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2020 special issue: Twenty years of breast reconstruction: Past, present, and future.

Breast reconstruction has evolved in the last 25 years to provide women with better autologous and implant-based options. The general trends of breast reconstruction have shifted to skin and nipple-areolar complex preservation, resulting in improved aesthetics and patient satisfaction. Autologous reconstruction has made a dramatic movement toward microsurgical reconstruction by free tissue transfer and has addressed lymphedema and breast sensation. Using the patient's own tissues, several aesthetic refinements have led to optimizing the cosmetic appearance of the reconstructed breast. Implant-based reconstruction has improved with the invention of form-stable silicone implants, acellular dermal matrix, and fat grafting. These positive trends will continue into the future. We hope that all women with a diagnosis of breast cancer will have the option of a consultation with a reconstructive plastic surgeon, ideally prior to undergoing resective surgery, to ensure they are aware of all reconstructive options to maximize their reconstructive result.

Reconstructive utilisation and outcomes following mastectomy surgery in women with breast cancer treated in England.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer usually necessitates breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, which adversely affect appearance and wellbeing. Immediate reconstruction restores the breast mound but its availability and efficacy are uncertain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two discrete datasets were used to evaluate mastectomies in England: Hospital Episode Statistics to measure overall activity and variation over time and by region and a national prospective audit to evaluate immediate reconstruction decision making, complication rates and patient-reported satisfaction with information, choice and outcomes. RESULTS: The 2005-08 Hospital Episode Statistics analyses identified 20% breast-conserving surgery reoperation rates nationally, frequently involving mastectomy. Rates were higher with in-situ disease present (30% vs 18%) and varied across NHS trusts (10th-90th centiles 12-30%). The 2008-09 national audit examined 18,216 women. The 19% immediate reconstruction rate varied regionally (9-43%), as did 2006-09 Hospital Episode Statistics data (8-32%). A total of 48% of women were offered immediate reconstruction, again varying regionally (24-75%). Offer likelihood fell with increasing age. National immediate reconstruction rates increased from 10% to 23% from 2000 to 2014, but regional variation persisted. Despite high care satisfaction, just 65% of mastectomy patients received the right amount of reconstructive information (90% for immediate reconstruction). Women from deprived areas experienced higher complication rates. Flap-based immediate reconstruction led to greater satisfaction with breast area appearance, emotional and sexual wellbeing and overall outcome than mastectomy; implant-only immediate reconstruction scored no better. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction is central to improving breast cancer outcomes. The differential outcomes and persistent regional inequalities identified should facilitate decision making, support improved access to all reconstructive options and inform the development of an optimal patient pathway.

Treatment at Academic Centers Increases Likelihood of Reconstruction After Mastectomy for Breast Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Mastectomy rates continue to increase in women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC). There are limited data regarding reconstruction rates at academic centers (AC) versus community hospitals (CH). We aim to determine the effect of facility type on reconstruction rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried for BC patients treated with mastectomy from 2004 to 2014. Clinical characteristics and type of reconstruction were compared between treatment at AC or CH. RESULTS: A total of 860,509 patients were included. Patients treated at AC were younger (58.7 ± 12 y AC versus 61.6 ± 13 y CH; P < 0.001) and traveled farther to their treatment center (33.1 ± 122.8 miles AC versus 20 ± 75.3 miles CH; P < 0.001). Patients undergoing surgery at AC were more likely to have reconstruction than those at CH (43.7% AC versus 32.5% CH; P < 0.001). This trend remained across all reconstruction types including expander/implant-based reconstruction (immediate breast reconstruction) (14.4% AC versus 9.9% CH), autologous reconstruction (14.9% AC versus 11.7% CH), mixed reconstruction (5.2% AC versus 3.6% CH), and other reconstructions (9.2% AC versus 7.3% CH) (all P < 0.001). Patients in all age categories, across insurance statuses, and with comorbidities were more likely to receive reconstruction if treated at AC compared with CH. In multivariate analysis, having a mastectomy at AC was an independent predictor of reconstruction (adjusted odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.49-1.51; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Undergoing mastectomy at AC results in higher rate of reconstruction compared with CH.

News in surgery of patients with early breast cancer.

One of the most important news occurring in axillary surgery since the last St. Gallen Conference in 2017 was the publication of confirmatory long-term follow-up data from several large multicenter phase III non-inferiority trials, which clearly showed that axillary dissection can no longer be considered standard practice in all node-positive patients. Several groups are currently investigating the most accurate method to reliably determine axillary pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy to omit axillary dissection in initially clinically node-positive patients. Concerning breast surgery, after publication of the broadly endorsed definition of "no ink on tumor" for negative margins, many groups have demonstrated the expected decrease in re-excision rates. More evidence is needed to evaluate the adequate margin width in the neoadjuvant setting, where an increased risk of local recurrence has been shown compared to the upfront surgery setting. Besides narrowing margins and local down-staging by neoadjuvant therapy, another potential way to increase breast conservation rates is eliminating multicentricity as a contraindication. This requires high-volume tumorectomy, which has been demonstrated to be oncologically safe in a large series of oncoplastic reduction mammoplasties. However, the beneficial impact of oncoplastic surgery on quality of life still needs to be confirmed. The Oncoplastic Breast Consortium (OPBC) is a rapidly growing global non-profit organization that is committed to identifying and prioritizing knowledge gaps in this field. Currently, the OPBC focuses on research projects that address the major heterogeneity in breast reconstruction practice after nipple-sparing mastectomy.

Labor de proyeccion humanitaria de la FILACP. Campaña 2019 / FILACP humanitarian projection work. Campaign 2019

Introducción y objetivo: La Federación Ibero Latinoamericana de Cirugía Plástica (FILACP), como organización internacional de especialistas en Cirugía Plástica, Estética y Reparadora unidos por una lengua común, incentiva la participación de sus cirujanos en campañas de labor humanitaria que, prestando ayuda médica con cirugías de alta complejidad a pacientes de entornos sociales o geográficos menos favorecidos, pueden mejorar su calidad de vida y su integración en la sociedad. Presentamos en este trabajo, a modo de ejemplo de una labor iniciada ya hace años, la desarrollada por los equipos que han participado en la III Jornada Altruista de Cirugía Plástica de la FILACP correspondiente al año 2019. Material y método: La campaña fue convocada desde FILACP a través de su página web, la página de Facebook y el canal de Youtube en redes sociales y mediante cartas enviadas a los delegados de sus Comités Médico Social y de Difusión y a los presidentes de las sociedades nacionales de Cirugía Plástica de los 22 países miembros. Las jornadas de trabajo se desarrollaron durante los meses de julio y agosto de 2019 con equipos quirúrgicos compuestos por cirujanos plásticos, anestesiólogos y personal de enfermería que trabajaron voluntariamente, de forma altruista, y tanto a título personal como apoyados por las instituciones sanitarias en las que habitualmente trabajan o por fundaciones con las que colaboran. Resultados: En total fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente 1008 pacientes (78.75% de los vistos en consulta), con una media de edad de 6.9 años, 51% varones y 49% mujeres. Los 3 grupos principales de patologías atendidas fueron: fisuras labiopalatinas (31%), reconstrucción mamaria postmastectomía (24%) y quemaduras (17%). Conclusiones: A través de este trabajo La FILACP agradece a todos y cada uno de los cirujanos que participaron en esta III Jornada Altruista y reconoce a los que lo hicieron en campañas anteriores, da a conocer datos de la actividad quirúrgica realizada en esta ocasión y contribuye a difundir la vertiente reconstructiva de la especialidad y su importante contribución a la mejora de la calidad de vida de los pacientes más desfavorecidos

Background and objective: The Ibero Latinamerican Federation of Plastic Surgery (FILACP), as an international organization of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery specialists with a common language, encourages their collaboration in humanitarian campaigns where with their work in highly complex surgeries on patients in disadvantaged environments, try to improve their quality of life and their social integration. In this paper we present, as an example of the last years work, the activities developed by the teams enrolled in the III Plastic Surgery Altruist Campaign of FILACP in 2019. Methods: This campaign was convened from FILACP web, Fecebook and Youtube social networks and through letters sent to delegates in Social Medical and Communications Committees and to the presidents of national societies in the 22 member countries. The surgical working days were developed during July and August with teams composed by plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists and nursing staff who worked voluntarily, altruistically, and both in personal capacity or supported by the health institutions in which they usually work or by foundations with which they collaborate. Results: A total of 1008 patients were operated (78.75% of those visited in the consultation), with an average age of 6.9 years, 51% men and 49% women. The 3 main groups of attended pathologies were: lip and palate cleft (31%), post mastectomy breast reconstruction (24%) and burns (17%). Conclusions: With this paper FILACP wants to thank each and every surgeon who participated in this III Altruist Campaign and recognize those who did it in previous campaigns, presents data from surgical activity conducted this time and contributes to the knowledge of the reconstructive aspect of the specialty and its important contribution to the improvement of the quality of life of the most disadvantaged patients

Changing Trends in Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction. Analysis of a Single-institution Experience Between 2004-2016.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Recently, "conservative" mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (M-R) has become the gold standard when the breast must be removed. We analyzed the evolution in the choice of mastectomy type in our Unit, focusing on factors associated with renounce to reconstruction and risk factors for its failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical-pathological and surgical features of 132 patients who underwent mastectomy in our Unit from 2004 to 2016 were analyzed. M-R rate and different mastectomy techniques' rates between 2004-2009 and 2010-2016 were compared. RESULTS: M-R was associated with younger age at diagnosis (p<0.001) and early tumor stage (p=0.03). M-R rate increased from 49.1% to 72.2% (p=0.002) in the last years, with prominent use of nipple-sparing-mastectomy (p<0.001). M-R failure rate was associated with previous or subsequent irradiation/chemotherapy in 92.3% of cases. CONCLUSION: M-R and particularly nipple-sparing-mastectomy represented the standard in more recent years; reconstruction failure was associated with irradiation/chemotherapy, especially in implant-based reconstructions.

Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: A safe option? / Reconstrucción inmediata mediante implante directo tras quimioterapia neoadyuvante. ¿Es una práctica segura?

INTRODUCTION: Immediate reconstruction (IBR) after mastectomy in patients who have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) remains controversial. The aim of this study is to analyze and compare oncological results as well as complication and reoperation rates in patients undergoing NACT and a control group. METHODS: Retrospective observational case-control study of patients with breast cancer who underwent bilateral mastectomy and direct-to-implant IBR (BMIBR) from 2000-2016. The group that received NACT was matched 1:5 to patients without NACT (Control group). We evaluated differences between groups using the χ2 or Fisher test (qualitative variables), Mann-Whitney U or Student's t-test (quantitative variables). The survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test (SPSS 22.0). RESULTS: The study included a total of 171 patients with BMIBR: 62 patients (36.3%) after NACT and 109 patients (63.7%) in the control group without NACT. Median follow-up was 52.0 (IQR: 23.0-94.0) months. In both groups, the indication for BMIBR was patient choice (32.7%). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of complication rate (24.2% in the NACT group and 19.3% in the control group [P=.44]), but differences in oncological results were found. Patients in the NACT Group had three times more risk of recurrence at a given time than patients in the control group (3.009 [1.349-6.713]) according to the univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Direct-to-implant IBR after skin-sparing mastectomy is a viable option for breast cancer patients undergoing NACT.

Evaluación de la asimetría mamaria mediante algoritmos de desplazamiento óptico / Breast asymmetry assessment using optical flow algorithms

Antecedentes y Objetivo. La gradación de la simetría es un aspecto fundamental para evaluar un resultado en cirugía mamaria. Los métodos más extendidos de valoración de asimetría se basan en percepciones subjetivas del cirujano o de la paciente, así como en la comparación objetiva de distancias entre puntos de interés tales como la horquilla esternal y el pezón. Utilizar de forma generalizada un método objetivo comportaría ventajas evidentes. El presente trabajo pretende diseñar y contrastar un método de análisis de imagen que permita objetivar el grado de asimetría mamaria en una paciente. Material y método. Basándonos en un algoritmo informático que evalúa el grado de desplazamiento entre dos imágenes similares, desarrollamos una aplicación capaz de cuantificar el grado de desplazamiento que presenta una mama con respecto a la otra, arrojando un resultado numérico que denominamos global breast asymmetry index (GBAI). Calculamos este valor en una serie de 50 pacientes de forma pre y postoperatoria. Comparamos el resultado con otros métodos de evaluación de asimetría tanto objetivos como subjetivos, incluyendo una encuesta a 100 profesionales sanitarios y a un panel de expertos. Resultados. La adaptación de nuestro algoritmo para calcular un índice objetivo de asimetría mamaria muestra un comportamiento similar a la valoración subjetiva de la asimetría por parte del personal sanitario, mejorando otros métodos objetivos y presentándose como una alternativa útil a los métodos tradicionales de comparación de distancias. Conclusiones. El cálculo de desplazamiento óptico es un procedimiento válido y objetivo para cuantificar la asimetría mamaria

Background and Objective. Adequate assessment of symmetry is a critical aspect when evaluating results in breast surgery. Most methods of asymmetry assessment are based on subjective observations by the surgeon or patients, as well as on the objective measurement of distances between key points, such as the sternal notch and the nipple. The widespread use of an objective method would have obvious advantages. We aim to design and test an imaging analysis method that allows to objectively assess the degree of breast asymmetry. Methods. An application has been developed to quantify the degree of disparity between two similar images, based on a computer algorithm. The algorithm was used to compare images of breasts, yielding a numerical result that we named global breast asymmetry index (GBAI). This value was calculated in a series of 50 patients pre- and postoperatively. The result was compared with other asymmetry assessment methods, both objective and subjective, including a survey of 100 health professionals and a panel of experts. Results. The implementation of our algorithm to calculate the breast asymmetry index shows similar results to subjective assessment of asymmetry by health personnel, improving other objective methods and presenting itself as a useful alternative to traditional methods of symmetry assessment. Conclusions. Measurement of optical flow is a valid and objective method of assessment of the degree of breast asymmetry

How to improve patient safety and quality of care in breast implant surgery? First outcomes from the Dutch Breast Implant Registry (2015-2017).

BACKGROUND: Although the use of breast implants is generally considered to be safe, breast implants are associated with short- and long-term complications. To evaluate and improve the quality of breast implant surgery, and increase our knowledge of implant performance, the national Dutch Breast Implant Registry (DBIR) was established in 2015. DBIR is one of the first up-and-running breast implant registries worldwide and follows an opt-out structure. OBJECTIVE: This article provides an overview of the first outcomes and experiences of the DBIR. METHODS: The national coverage of DBIR was studied using data from the Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate. The incidence rate of breast implants was calculated for 2016 and 2017, and patient, device, and surgery characteristics were compared between cosmetic breast augmentations or reconstructive indications. Four infection control, measures were selected to demonstrate the variation in the Dutch clinical practice. RESULTS: In 2016, 95% of the hospitals and 78% of the private clinics participated in DBIR. Between 2015 and 2017, a total of 15,049 patients and 30,541 breast implants were included. A minimum breast implant incidence rate of 1 per 1,691 women could be determined for 2017. The majority of devices were inserted for a cosmetic indication (85.2%). In general, patient, device, and surgery characteristics differed per indication group. Substantial variation was seen in the use of infection control measures (range 0-100%). CONCLUSION: Preliminary results obtained from DBIR show high national participation rates and support further developments toward the improvement of breast implant surgery and patient safety.

National Patterns of Breast Reconstruction and Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy for Breast Cancer, 2005-2015.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore national patterns in the uptake of breast reconstruction and nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM). METHODS: We used the National Cancer Database to identify all women who underwent mastectomy for stage 0-III breast cancer between 2005-2015. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with receipt of reconstruction, with subset analyses performed to determine trends and predictors of NSM in those who underwent mastectomy with reconstruction. RESULTS: Our cohort consisted of 395,815 women, 238,568 (60.3%) who underwent mastectomy alone and 157,247 (39.7%) who underwent mastectomy followed by reconstruction. The use of breast reconstruction increased from 22.3% of mastectomy cases in 2005 to 49.7% of mastectomy cases in 2015 (odds ratio [OR] 9.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.3-12.8). Among those receiving reconstruction, the use of NSM increased from 1.7% in 2005 to 14.3% in 2015 (OR 9.4, 95% CI 7.1-12.5), with increased utilization among those with early-stage and locally advanced disease, such that by 2015, NSM was performed in 15.3% of mastectomies with reconstruction for DCIS, 14.3% of mastectomies with reconstruction for stage I-II breast cancer, and 10.7% of mastectomies with reconstruction for stage III breast cancer. Factors strongly predicting receipt of NSM included age < 45 years, smaller clinical tumor size, clinically node negative disease, use of neoadjuvant therapy, and facility type. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a dramatic increase in the use of breast reconstruction and NSM between 2005-2015. Further prospective studies evaluating oncologic outcomes of NSM in locally advanced breast cancer are warranted.