Current practices of plastic surgeons at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in requesting breast imaging studies prior to non-oncological breast surgeries.

Abstract

BackgroundIn the context of the high incidence of breast cancer and the high frequency of breast cosmetic surgeries, malignant and/or premalignant lesions are frequently detected incidentally in postoperative histopathology specimens. The current literature does not provide clear practice guidelines for the use of preoperative imaging prior to non-oncological breast surgeries.ObjectivesIn this study, we aimed to determine the current practices of plastic surgeons at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) and their use of preoperative breast imaging before non-oncological breast surgeries.DesignNon-intervention/ retrospective record review.SettingsDepartment of Radiology at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH).MethodsIn 08/06/2017 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, we conducted a single-center, retrospective chart review of the medical files of candidates for non-oncological breast surgery in order to examine preoperative imaging requests by plastic surgeons in the period 01/01/2013 to 08/06/2017.Main outcome measuresThe practice of plastic surgeons at KAUH in requesting preoperative imaging prior non-oncological breast surgeries.Sample size104 patients.ResultsWe found that, in the period 2013 to 2017, 104 women who underwent non-oncological breast surgeries were evaluated for recent preoperative breast imaging. Only 37 patients (35.6%) were found to have had preoperative imaging, and only less than one fifth (19.4%) of those 37 patients had abnormal preoperative imaging results, all of which were negative for malignancy.ConclusionsAlthough the yield of malignancy on preoperative breast imaging was zero in women seeking non-oncological breast surgeries at KAUH, we recommend the establishment of unified practice guidelines to be followed by plastic surgeons for better postoperative screening in different risk groups.LimitationsLack of follow up of patients postoperatively for any development of malignancy.