How does ptosis affect satisfaction after immediate reconstruction plus contralateral mammaplasty?

Abstract

Breast reconstruction can reduce psychologic distress without interfering with adjuvant treatment. The study was conducted to determine how ptosis affects satisfaction after immediate partial breast reconstruction with local flaps and symmetrization of the contralateral breast. Twenty patients, with estimated breast volume between 300 and 600 mL and tumor size until T2 by TNM classification, were included in a retrospective cohort study based on a prospective database. The breast was reconstructed using local flaps based on the perforating vessels of the intercostal and pectoralis major muscles. The donor site was located at the intersection of the lower quadrants of the breast. Contralateral mammaplasty using the vertical technique was used to maintain balanced breast volume and shape. A satisfaction score on a scale of 0 to 10 was used, and its correlation with the degree of breast ptosis (1-3) was evaluated. Despite good overall satisfaction scores, significant differences between the ptosis groups 1 (<1 cm) and 3 (>3 cm) were observed (P = 0.010). Breast reconstruction using local flaps plus contralateral mammaplasty performed at the time of surgical resection produced satisfaction scores considered good (8/10). This combined technique seems to be of greatest benefit when the degree of breast ptosis is marked.