Lipofilling en reconstruction mammaire. Étude rétrospective de la satisfaction et de la qualité de vie à propos de 68 patientes

[RECOMA study: Evaluation of quality of life and satisfaction after immediate or delayed breast reconstruction]

OBJECTIVE

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy, whether immediate or delayed, is an integral part of the overall management of breast cancer. However, up to 40 % of reconstructed patients are not satisfied with the aesthetic result. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate satisfaction and quality of life according to the reconstruction techniques used in our center. The secondary objectives were to identify the parameters that could influence satisfaction and quality of life after surgery, to list the main complications, and the number of operations required to consider the reconstruction process as completed.

METHOD

A retrospective monocentric study, RECOMA, was carried out at the CHRU Minjoz in Besançon. All patients who underwent immediate or delayed breast reconstruction between 2010 and 2021 were contacted by post or e-mail and asked to complete the standardized BREAST-Q postoperative module.

RESULTS

Of 508 patients contacted, 149 were included. Reconstructed patients reported satisfaction, but also "average" quality of physical and psychological sexual life. Only the surgeon's assessment was rated as "good". There was no significant difference in satisfaction and quality of life depending on the reconstruction method chosen. On the other hand, patients who underwent nipple areolar complex (NAC) reconstruction had a significantly higher psychic quality of life score (P=0.02). In addition, a significant decrease in physical satisfaction was observed over time(P=0.049). An average of 2.4 operations was required to consider breast reconstruction complete.

CONCLUSION

In our opinion, breast reconstruction is an essential procedure to be considered as soon as the indication for mastectomy is given, but it is a process that requires the patient to be prepared for a result that may be weaker than expected, may require several operations, and may be complicated.

BREAST-Q Patient-reported Outcomes in Different Types of Breast Reconstruction after Fat Grafting

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy improves patient quality of life. Independently of the type of reconstruction, ancillary procedures are sometimes necessary to improve results. Fat grafting to the breast is a safe procedure with excellent results. We report patient-reported outcomes using the BREAST-Q questionnaire after autologous fat grafting in different types of reconstructed breasts.

Methods

We performed a single-center, prospective, comparative study that compared patient-reported outcomes using the BREAST-Q in patients after different types of breast reconstruction (autologous, alloplastic, or after breast conserving) who subsequently had fat grafting.

Results

In total, 254 patients were eligible for the study, but only 54 (68 breasts) completed all the stages needed for inclusion. Patient demographic and breast characteristics are described. Median age was 52 years. The mean body mass index was 26.1 ± 3.9. The mean postoperative period at the administration of BREAST-Q questionnaires was 17.6 months. The mean preoperative BREAST-Q was 59.92 ± 17.37, and the mean postoperative score was 74.84 ± 12.48 (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference when divided by the type of reconstruction.

Conclusion

Fat grafting is an ancillary procedure that improves the outcomes in breast reconstruction independently of the reconstruction type and heightens patient satisfaction, and it should be considered an integral part of any reconstruction algorithm.

Breast Reconstruction by Exclusive Lipofilling after Total Mastectomy for Breast Cancer: Description of the Technique and Evaluation of Quality of Life

Background: The objective of this work was to describe the technique of exclusive lipofilling in breast reconstruction after total mastectomy, to evaluate the satisfaction and quality of life of the patients, and to explore current literature on the subject. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational multicentric study from January 2013 to April 2020. The modalities of surgery, esthetic result, and patient satisfaction were evaluated with the breast reconstruction module of BREAST-Q. Results: Complete data were available for 37 patients. The mean number of sessions was 2.2 (standard deviation 1.1), spread over an average of 6.8 months (SD 6.9). The average total volume of fat transferred was 566.4 mL. The complication rate was 18.9%. No severe complication was observed (Clavien–Dindo 3/4). Two patients were diagnosed with recurrence, in a metastatic mode (5.4%). The average satisfaction rate was 68.4% (SD 24.8) for psychosocial well-being and 64.5% (SD 24.1) for sexual well-being. The satisfaction rate was 60.2% (SD 20.9) for the image of the reconstructed breast and 82.7% (SD 21.9) for locoregional comfort. Conclusions: Breast reconstruction by exclusive lipofilling after total mastectomy provides satisfactory quality of life scores. The simplicity of the surgical technique and equipment required, and the high satisfaction rate confirm that lipofilling should be included in the panel of choice of breast reconstruction techniques.

[Current situation of breast reconstruction after breast cancer in Reunion Island]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to describe the current trends of breast reconstruction (BR) and breast oncoplasty (BO) for breast cancer patients in Reunion Island.

METHODS

This is a multicenter retrospective descriptive study of all BR and BO surgeries in 2016. We studied the first stage of BR that corresponds to the choice of surgical technique. Patient's age, care center, technique and duration of surgery, complications and their risk factors were reviewed. Patient satisfaction was assessed using the modified BREAST-Q^©.

RESULTS

In 2016, BR rate over total mastectomy was 47.6% and BO rate was 6.3% over partial mastectomy. Among the 92 patients included, 25 immediate BR were performed (84% in private institution) and 44 delayed BR (67% in public hospital). Although prosthetic techniques were the most used, satisfaction seems to be better with autologous techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

The ratio of BR is high in Reunion Island with a wide range of techniques but uneven practice. Conversely, BO's ratio is low and improvement is needed.

From Bedside to Bench: The Effect of Muscular Denervation on Fat Grafting to the Breast by Comparing Take Rate, Quality, and Longevity

BACKGROUND

Autologous fat grafting (AFG) to the breast is a frequent procedure in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Despite pure volume gain, questions remain regarding the engraftment rate, quality, and longevity. Little is known about the role of recipient tissue or innervation of the grafted area.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to determine the optimal recipient layer and muscular pretreatment of AFG.

METHODS

Fat was grafted to the breast, pectoralis muscle, or adjacent subcutaneous tissue of 42 rats. Nerve treatment included excision of a nerve segment, botulinum toxin (BTX) injection, or no treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological workup were carried out after 2 and 6 weeks.

RESULTS

Six weeks after AFG, the proportion of viable fat cells within the grafted fat stayed high (median, [IQR]: 81% [72% to 85%]). The signs of inflammation decreased over time. Intramuscular grafting with intact nerves had a decreasing effect on the viability of the grafted cells compared with subcutaneous treatment (-10.21%; 95% confidence interval [-21.1 to 0.68]).

CONCLUSIONS

If utilized on an intact nerve, intramuscular injection may lead to inferior results. If the nerve was cut or treated with BTX; however, intramuscular injection tends to be superior. These findings may prove interesting for future studies and eventual clinical application.

Meta-analysis of the oncological safety of autologous fat transfer after breast cancer

Lipofilling ok

Association of Fat Grafting With Patient-Reported Outcomes in Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction

Importance

Fat grafting has proven to be a useful adjunct to breast reconstruction for the treatment of contour irregularities and volume deficits, but the proposed US Food and Drug Administration regulations may severely limit the ability of plastic surgeons to continue its use in this clinical context.

Objective

To determine whether fat grafting is associated with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients undergoing breast reconstruction.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A longitudinal, multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted between February 1, 2012, and July 31, 2016, at the 11 sites associated with the Mastectomy Reconstruction Outcomes Consortium Study. Eligible patients included women 18 years or older presenting for breast reconstruction after mastectomy with 2 years or more of follow-up. All primary procedure types (implant based and flap based) were eligible. Patients were excluded if they had not completed breast mound reconstruction by 1 year after starting reconstruction.

Interventions

Fat grafting as an adjunct to breast mound reconstruction.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary end points were patient-reported outcome measures as assessed by the validated BREAST-Q survey, with higher scores on a 0- to 100-point scale indicating better health-related quality of life. Survey subscales included breast satisfaction, as well as psychosocial, physical, and sexual well-being. Patient-reported outcomes were compared between those who received and did not receive fat grafting.

Results

A total of 2048 women were included (mean [SD] age, 49.4 [10] years), with 165 (8.1%) undergoing fat grafting between years 1 and 2. One year postoperatively, patients who later underwent fat grafting reported significantly lower breast satisfaction (adjusted mean difference [AMD], -4.74; 95% CI, -8.21 to -1.28; P = .008), psychosocial well-being (AMD, -3.87; 95% CI, -7.33 to -0.40; P = .03), and sexual well-being (AMD, -5.59; 95% CI, -9.70 to -1.47; P = .008), compared with those who did not receive subsequent fat grafting. Following the procedure, the fat-grafted cohort reported similar breast satisfaction (AMD, -0.68; 95% CI, -4.42 to 3.06; P = .72), psychosocial well-being (AMD, -0.59; 95% CI, -3.92 to 2.74; P = .73), and sexual well-being (AMD, -2.94; 95% CI, -7.01 to 1.12; P = .15) 2 years postoperatively.

Conclusions and Relevance

Fat grafting may improve breast satisfaction, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being in patients undergoing breast reconstruction.

Breast cancer and fat grafting: efficacy, safety and complications-a systematic review

Autologous fat grafting (AFG) or lipofilling is nowadays a popular technique for breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. There is debate regarding the oncological safety and risks of this procedure in breast cancer patients. A systematic review of the literature published between January first 1995 and October first 2016 was conducted regarding the efficacy, safety and complications of this technique in breast cancer patients after their cancer treatment. The databases PubMed, Science Direct and Thomson Reuters Web of Science were used to search for qualified articles. Inclusion criteria were women with a personal history of breast cancer and at least one lipofilling procedure. Only studies containing a minimum of 20 patients were included in this systematic review. The search yielded a total of 23 suitable articles: 18 case series, 4 retrospective cohort studies and one prospective cohort study. The systematic review encompassed a total of 2419 patients. Medical imaging was used in the majority of the studies to assess the follow-up. Mammography was the most popular technique (65.2%), followed by ultrasound (47.8%) and MRI (30.4%). The prevalence of complications was the following: fat necrosis in 5.31%, benign lesions, like cysts or calcifications in 8.78%, infections in 0.96% and local cancer recurrence in 1.69%. AFG or lipofilling appears to be an oncological safe technique with a low morbidity in women with a history of breast cancer. In order to have a better understanding and evidence of the oncological safety a randomised controlled trial is urgently needed. We further recommend that all AFG be registered in the cancer register.