BREAST-Q-Based Survey of the Satisfaction and Health Status of Patients with Breast Reconstruction.

aimsTo explore the patients' satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients who received reconstruction after breast cancer surgery using the BREAST-Q questionnaire and further investigate the influencing risk factors.

methodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled patients who underwent first-ever breast reconstruction after unilateral or bilateral mastectomy at the Breast Surgery Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University or People's Hospital of Zhengzhou between January 2016 and December 2021. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors.

resultsA total of 202 participants were included. Age of >45 years (vs.≤35 years, β = - 3.74, P < 0.001) was an independent risk factor influencing the satisfaction degree score. Age between 36 and 45 years (vs. ≤35 years, β = - 0.26, P < 0.001), age of >45 years (vs. ≤35 years, β = - 0.45, P < 0.001), nipple-preserving mastectomy (NSM)/ skin-preserving mastectomy (SSM) + sentinel lymph node dissection + prosthesis implantation + contralateral breast augmentation (vs. NSM/SSM + sentinel lymph node dissection + prosthesis implantation, β = - 0.16, P=0.012), and the use of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) matrix (β = 0.13, P = 0.044) were independent risk factors influencing the HRQOL scores.

conclusionAge, the surgical procedure, and the use of matrix were associated with the satisfaction degree and HRQOL after breast reconstruction in patients receiving mastectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .