Comparison of preoperative quality of life in breast reconstruction, breast aesthetic and non-breast plastic surgery patients: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

A breast cancer diagnosis imposes significant emotional and psychological duress. The purpose of this study is to assess the baseline quality of life (QOL) of immediate, delayed, and secondary breast reconstruction patients, comparing these results with QOL in women seeking plastic surgery for cosmetic breast, and non-breast procedures. From 2012 through 2013, immediate (group 1), delayed (group 2), and secondary (Group 3) reconstruction patients, aesthetic breast (group 4) and non-breast plastic surgery patients (group 5) answered Breast-Q questionnaires. Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 answered 141, 12, 23, 72 and 160 preoperative questionnaires respectively. There was no difference (p=NS) in breast satisfaction, psychosocial well-being, physical well-being-chest, and sexual well-being between groups 1 and 5. Group 1 had higher satisfaction with breast (p<0.01), psychosocial (p<0.01) and sexual well-being (p<0.01) when compared to groups 2 and 4. Group 1 had higher satisfaction with breasts (p<0.01) compared to group 3. Group 4 did not differ in satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial, and sexual well-being, compared to groups 2 and 3. Group 4 had lower scores in all domains, compared to groups 1 and 5 (p<0.01). No significant difference in QOL was found between groups 2 and 3. Preoperatively, immediate reconstruction patients had similar satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial well-being, and chest physical well-being, compared to non-breast plastic surgery patients. Aesthetic breast surgery patients demonstrate similar low scores in satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being to those of patients prior to delayed breast reconstruction, or secondary salvage procedures.