Women highly rate breast reconstruction using patient’s own tissue.

Women highly rate breast reconstruction using patient's own tissue.

The Unexpected Satisfaction: Women Choose Autologous Breast Reconstruction over Implants

Oct. 3, 2023 (HealthDay News) – In a surprising twist, new research shows that women who undergo breast reconstruction using their own tissue instead of implants report higher satisfaction with the results. Despite autologous breast reconstruction being a more complex procedure with a higher rate of severe complications, lead author Nadia Sadok of University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands found that patients were unexpectedly more content.

The study included 63 women who opted for autologous reconstruction, performed with a flap of the patient’s own skin and underlying tissues, and 75 women who chose breast implants. By comparing the quality of life in women with breast cancer who had different options for breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, the researchers sought to understand the impact of the different procedures on patient satisfaction.

Surprisingly, prior to surgery, the women in the autologous group had lower scores on all measures, including satisfaction with their breasts. On a 100-point scale, their average satisfaction score was 49, compared to 59 for women who opted for implant-based reconstruction.

The women in the autologous group also experienced higher rates of severe complications, with 27% encountering complications compared to 12% among the implant patients. Researchers initially expected that these complications would impact the quality of life scores in the autologous group at follow-up, but that wasn’t the case.

The women who underwent autologous reconstruction reported higher satisfaction scores at six weeks, with an average score of 62 compared to 51 for patients with implants. Furthermore, these higher satisfaction levels persisted at six months, with scores of 68 for women with autologous reconstruction compared to 57 for those with implants.

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The study also identified that women who had immediate reconstruction and single-stage procedures showed higher satisfaction scores. Additionally, the autologous group exhibited higher scores for psychosocial and sexual well-being. However, most other quality of life ratings, including overall satisfaction with outcomes, were similar between the two groups.

The surprising findings were published in a recent supplement to the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In a news release, the authors noted that the differences observed in the preoperative scores may not solely be explained by the timing of reconstruction but could also be related to body type, self-perceived body image, and body satisfaction.

Breast reconstruction is an important consideration for many women who have undergone mastectomies. The American Cancer Society provides further information on breast reconstruction for those seeking additional guidance.

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