The survival curve: factors impacting the outcome of free flap take-backs.

Background: When vascular compromise is detected, a free flap is immediately taken back to the operating room for attempted salvage. Which factors predict the success or failure of a take-back is currently unknown.

Methods: A review of free flaps performed at a single institution over the last 10 years was performed.

Short-term and long-term psychosocial adjustment and quality of life in women undergoing different surgical procedures for breast cancer.

Background: The various surgical procedures for early-stage breast cancer are equivalent in terms of survival. Therefore, other factors, such as the procedures' effect on psychosocial adjustment and quality of life (QOL), take on great importance. The aim of the current study was to prospectively examine the short- and long-term effects of mastectomy with reconstruction, mastectomy without reconstruction, and breast conservation therapy on aspects of psychosocial adjustment and QOL in a sample of 258 women with breast cancer.