Breast cancer and reconstruction: can surgical technique, reconstructive time and adjuvant treatment influence the result?

Introduction: Some techniques for the total reconstruction of the breast, regardless of the complexity, have specific complications, with varying degrees of morbidity. Therefore, we wanted to identify the most frequent complications of the main techniques used for breast reconstruction, and compare the relation to the relevant independent variables.

Methods: Our study was conducted by examining the medical records of patients who had received complete reconstruction of the breast after a mastectomy due to breast cancer from January 2008 to December 2010, with a minimum follow-up of 3 years postoperatively. The data collected, such as the time of intervention, reconstruction techniques, operating time, and adjuvant treatment, were statistically correlated to the presence of complications.

Results: Of the 40 total breast reconstructions analyzed, the technique in which they were used expanders followed by replacement with implants showed the lowest prevalence of complications (16.7%, p <0.000). Some surgical techniques have shown particular complications. The operative time for transplant transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (363.57 ± 59.91 min) was significantly higher than that required for the techniques that use alloplastic materials (155.71 ± 38.02 min, p = 0, 01), but similar to that for the latissimus dorsi flap (309.69 ± 77.66 min). The operative time, the timing of reconstructive surgery, and type of adjuvant treatment was not correlated with the incidence of complications.

Conclusions: Each technique has its indications, contraindications and complications. The application of each technique must be tailored to the individual characteristics of each patient.

Key Words: Adjuvant treatment, Reconstructive surgery, Results, Surgical procedure.