A qualitative study on the experiences of women undergoing surgery for developmental breast asymmetry.

Background: Developmental breast asymmetry (DBA) is a largely underreported condition where the natural growth of one breast is smaller than the other. While some degree of asymmetry or difference in size and shape is present in most women, DBA can result in more profound differences that can impact a woman's psychosocial well-being.

Objectives: This study aims to better understand the experiences of women living with DBA, their experiences seeking treatment, and their reconstructive surgical journey and outcomes.

Australian women's experiences of post-partum rectus diastasis: A qualitative study.

Background: Post-partum rectus diastasis, or the separation of the abdominal muscles after pregnancy, occurs in conjunction with physical symptoms and impaired quality of life. In Australia, health funding for surgery to treat diastasis was ceased in 2016, but reinstated in mid-2022, providing a unique context from which women's experiences of this condition can be analysed.

Objectives: The objective is to examine the experiences of Australian women with post-partum rectus diastasis.

Self-reported breast size, exercise habits and BREAST-Q data - an international cross-sectional study of community runners.

Women with larger breasts tend not to participate in high-intensity exercise and exercise less frequently. This study investigates how breast size impacts exercise habits and how breast reduction surgery changes women's participation in recreational exercise. Recruitment was generated via parkrun Limited (Richmond, UK), an organization offering weekly community-based runs.

Outcomes of DCIS treated with breast conserving surgery without radiotherapy on recurrence, survival, and health-related quality of life.

Background: Sector resection for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) allows wide excision without compromising breast shape. There are concerns that radiotherapy for some DCIS after sector resection is unnecessary and reduces patient satisfaction and quality of life without affecting survival. This study aimed to investigate whether women with DCIS managed with sector resection without radiotherapy had acceptable rates of recurrence and health-related quality of life outcomes.

Long-term outcomes of breast reduction surgery: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Breast reduction surgery has been shown to be the most effective treatment for symptomatic breast hypertrophy in women. However, existing studies have been limited to a relatively short-term follow-up. This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes following breast reduction surgery.

A comparison of reconstructive outcomes following rotation flap approach (RoFA) versus standard mastectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The rotation flap approach (RoFA) mastectomy is a skin-sparing technique that actively imports skin to the centre of the skin envelope and therefore aids in achieving natural ptosis to the reconstructed breast. The objective of this study was to compare clinical outcomes, aesthetics, patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life between the ROFA mastectomy and standard mastectomy approach.

Methods: This study is a prospective randomised controlled trial of participants undergoing mastectomy using either the RoFA technique or standard technique with breast reconstruction.

A five-year retrospective cohort study of carpal tunnel surgery complications in an Australian population.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common compressive neuropathy. There is a lack of comprehensive studies evaluating carpal tunnel release (CTR) complications in Australia. This study aimed to evaluate complication rates associated with open and endoscopic CTR in an Australian population, and to identify associated risk factors.

Qualitative study informing the development and content validity of the HAND-Q: a modular patient-reported outcome measure for hand conditions.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify and understand the issues that are relevant to patients with hand conditions. The data were used to develop a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for adults with hand conditions (HAND-Q) and refine it with input from patients and clinician experts.

Design: Semistructured qualitative interviews were used to understand what matters to patients.

The HAND-Q: Psychometrics of a New Patient-reported Outcome Measure for Clinical and Research Applications.

Unlabelled: The perspective of the patient in measuring the outcome of their hand treatment is of key importance. We developed a hand-specific patient-reported outcome measure to provide a means to measure outcomes and experiences of care from the patient perspective, that is, HAND-Q.

Methods: Data were collected from people with a broad range of hand conditions in hand clinics in six countries between April 2018 and January 2021.

Normative data for the BREAST-Q Reconstruction module in an Australian population and comparison with US norms and breast reconstruction patient outcomes.

Background: Normative data for interpreting the BREAST-Q reconstruction module are currently limited to the US population. This study aimed to generate normative BREAST-Q data from women in the Australian general population and compare it to US norms. Secondary aims were to compare normative scores to those of women undergoing breast reconstruction post-mastectomy.

Cost-utility analysis of breast reduction surgery for women with symptomatic breast hypertrophy.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of breast reduction surgery for women with symptomatic breast hypertrophy in Australia.

Design: Cost-utility analysis of data from a prospective cohort study.

Setting, Participants: Adult women with symptomatic breast hypertrophy assessed for bilateral breast reduction at the Flinders Medical Centre, a public tertiary hospital in Adelaide, April 2007 - February 2018.

Improving preoperative breast reconstruction consultations: a qualitative study on the impact of personalised audio-recordings.

Background: To investigate the value of audio-recordings in aiding patient understanding and recall of preoperative breast reconstruction information.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. Participants were randomly allocated into either a recording group who were offered the opportunity to record their breast reconstruction explanation of surgery, or a standard information package group who received standard care.

Predicted versus actual complications in Australian women undergoing post-mastectomy breast reconstruction: a retrospective cohort study using the BRA Score tool.

Introduction: The Breast Reconstruction Risk Assessment (BRA) Score tool is a risk calculator developed to predict the risk of complications in individual patients undergoing breast reconstruction. It was developed in a North American population exclusively undergoing immediate breast reconstruction. This study sought to assess the predictions of the BRA Score tool against the measured outcomes of surgery for an Australian public hospital population, including both immediate and delayed reconstructions.

The anatomical distribution of non-melanoma skin cancer: a retrospective cohort study of 22 303 Australian cases.

Background: Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are the most common skin cancers worldwide with research establishing that ultraviolet (UV) radiation influences occurrence. However, recent studies about NMSC tumour frequencies suggested high NMSC predilections in low UV-exposed skin regions.

Methods: The 'Human Surface Anatomy Labeling System' was used to define 100 skin regions to map NMSC locations excised at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2017.

Prospective Randomized Cohort Study to Explore the Acceptability of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures to Patients of Hand Clinics.

Purpose: The purpose of this randomized prospective cohort study was to assess the acceptability of administering patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in the waiting room of hand clinics.

Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to receive the Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation (PRWHE), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, or Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ). Acceptability was measured in terms of data quality, participation, and retention rates.

Normative data for the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation Scale in the general Australian population.

Background: Recent changes to the Australian Medicare Benefits Scheme have introduced the NOSE Score as a criteria threshold for funding rhinoplasty. On review of the literature, however, there is minimal normative Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score data to provide context for these changes.

Methods: Participants were recruited according to the general Australian population distribution of age (18-65 years), gender and geographical locations using the market research company Pureprofile.

A case report of a sub-clinical necrotising lower limb infection secondary to pelvic anastomotic leak and chronic corticosteroid use.

Anabolic steroids have attracted attention from the media with regard to misuse, but overuse of medically prescribed steroids also has a propensity to cause harm. Gluteal necrotising soft tissue infections are an uncommon presentation for plastic surgeons, and therefore, abdominal sources may be overlooked. We report a rare case of a 57-year-old male who presented with a necrotising lower limb infection on a background of long-term corticosteroid overuse and recurrent pelvic anastomotic leaks.

The Superiorly Based Partial Rectus Abdominis and External Oblique Flap for Lower Pole Coverage in Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction: A Prospective Cohort Study of 47 Consecutive Flaps.

Background: This study evaluated health related quality of life and morbidity in patients who had a superiorly based partial rectus abdominis and external oblique (SPREO) flap for lower pole coverage as a component of 2-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing immediate and delayed 2-stage breast reconstruction including a SPREO flap for lower pole coverage was conducted. The BREAST-Q and a study-specific questionnaire were used to determine outcomes after this procedure.

Does breast reduction surgery improve health-related quality of life? A prospective cohort study in Australian women.

Objectives: To assess the health burden of breast hypertrophy and the comparative effectiveness of breast reduction surgery in improving health-related quality of life.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: A major public tertiary care hospital in Australia.

Outcomes of Breast Reduction Surgery Using the BREAST-Q: A Prospective Study and Comparison with Normative Data.

Background: This study aimed to assess breast-related satisfaction and well-being in women with breast hypertrophy before and after breast reduction surgery, and to compare these scores with Australian general population norms, using the BREAST-Q Reduction module.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted between March of 2010 and February of 2016. Participants self-completed the BREAST-Q preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively.

Impact of Obesity on Quality of Life After Breast Reconstruction.

Background: There is an increasing prevalence of obesity in society, often associated with increased medical comorbidities and surgical complications. Some health providers are now placing a body mass index (BMI) limit on whom can be offered breast reconstruction. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of obesity on quality of life as measured by the BREAST-Q, in women undergoing breast reconstruction.

Efficacy of an external volume expansion device and autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction following breast conserving surgery and total mastectomy: Small improvements in quality of life found in a prospective cohort study.

Background: Although autologous fat grafting (AFG) for breast reconstruction is feasible, the best methods have yet to be established. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of fat grafting using an external expansion device for complete breast reconstruction post breast cancer surgery hypothesizing that it would improve quality of life.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in women who had undergone breast cancer surgery and complete reconstruction using AFG.