98% Of Elective Mastectomy Patients Would Have Reconstruction Again, Says ASPS Study

Women who
have breast reconstruction after an elective mastectomy are satisfied with
their decision, have low complication rates and 98 percent would do it
again, reports a study in July's Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(R), the
official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
(ASPS). In addition, breast reconstruction after preventive mastectomy was
as safe as or safer than reconstruction in women with breast cancer and had
excellent cosmetic results.



"Breast cancer is a terrible diagnosis and decisions regarding
treatment are never easy. This study shows that women with cancer in one
breast who choose to have their other breast removed as a preventive
measure are happy with their decision and a high percentage would do it
again," said Scott Spear, MD, study co-author and past ASPS president.
"More remarkable is the 100 percent satisfaction level, as well as the 100
percent willingness to have breast reconstruction again, for the women who
chose to have both breasts removed."



The study examined 74 women who had preventive mastectomies and
subsequent breast reconstruction between 2000 and 2005. Forty-seven
patients had breast cancer in one breast and elected to surgically remove
their other breast (unilateral prophylactic mastectomy). Twenty-seven
patients did not have breast cancer, but chose to surgically remove both
breasts due to a high-risk of developing breast cancer (bilateral
prophylactic mastectomy). The cosmetic outcome was scored by 14 surgeons
who looked at post-reconstruction photos and evaluated the result on a 1 to
4 scale (4 being an "excellent" result).



The study found that women who had a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy
were 100 percent satisfied with their breast reconstruction and 100 percent
of them would have the surgery again. Ninety-four percent of women who had
unilateral prophylactic mastectomy were satisfied with their reconstruction
and 96 percent of them would have reconstruction again.



The complication rate for reconstruction in women who had bilateral
prophylactic mastectomy was 3 percent and 10 percent for those who had
unilateral prophylactic mastectomy. Additionally, the study noted the
cosmetic assessment for all patients was a score of 3 out of 4.



"These women look and feel the same or better and their risk of cancer
has been taken off the table," said Dr. Spear. "For women who know they are
at risk, this option gives them the opportunity to be active about their
health and appearance rather than reactive. They can have excellent
cosmetic results, low surgical risk and a high level of satisfaction with
their breast reconstruction. This is empowering for women."




According to ASPS statistics, more than 57,000 breast reconstructions
were performed in 2007, up 2 percent since 2006.



Visit plasticsurgery for referrals to ASPS Member Surgeons and
to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.



The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of
board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 6,700
physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and
information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS
comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in
the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians
certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of
Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.


American Society of Plastic Surgeons

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