The impact of immediate breast reconstruction on post-mastectomy lymphedema in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy

• Published in: Breast (Edinburgh) Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 53 - 57
• Main Authors: Lee, Kyeong-Tae, Mun, Goo-Hyun, Lim, So-Young, Pyon, Jai-Kyong, Oh, Kap-Sung, Bang, Sa-Ik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2013
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Immediate breast reconstruction; Incidence; Logistic Models; Lymphedema - epidemiology; Lymphedema - etiology; Lymphedema - prevention & control; Mammaplasty - methods; Mastectomy, Modified Radical; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Post-mastectomy lymphedema; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; Retrospective Studies; Surgical Flaps; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Immediate breast reconstruction; Post-mastectomy lymphedema
• ISSN: 0960-9776; 1532-3080
• DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2012.04.009

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the impact of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) with autologous tissue on the development of post-mastectomy lymphedema in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM). A retrospective chart review was performed for early-stage breast cancer patients who underwent MRM between January 2001 and December 2009. Patients were categorized into two groups based on whether or not they underwent IBR. The incidence of lymphedema was assessed and compared. A total of 712 patients underwent MRM, which included 117 patients undergoing IRB. There were no significant differences between two groups except for a lower body mass index in the reconstruction group. Comparing the incidence of lymphedema using multivariate logistic regression analysis, the reconstruction group had a significantly lower incidence of lymphedema ( p -value = 0.023). Breast cancer patients who underwent MRM with IBR had a significantly lower incidence of lymphedema than those in the non-reconstruction group.