Qualitative research on the sex and emotional experience of breast reconstruction after breast surgery

Abstract

Objective To describe the relationship status of breast reconstruction after mammary gland surgery, and to explore the changes of sexual and emotional experience in breast reconstruction. Methods A semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted in 19 patients admitted to Hunan Cancer Hospital from October 2015 to December 2017 for reexamination in the hospital from 2 to 26 months after breast reconstruction. The Giorigi method was used to analyze data in the phenomenological analysis of qualitative research. Data collection, transfer and analysis are conducted simultaneously, and the method and content of the next interview were constantly adjusted with the existing data analysis results. Results The sex and emotional experience of breast reconstruction after breast surgery could be summarized into 5 subjects. The first was cognition of sexual life. The second was sexual psychological change.The third was physiological changes. The forth was the desire for sexual information. The fifth was breast reconstruction surgery brings the emotional fluctuation of both husband and wife. Conclusions Understanding of breast cancer postoperative breast reformer sexual and emotional experience can help medical personnel through effective communication and evaluation, provide targeted health education and consultation, improve recovery quality of life of patients. Key words: Breast reconstruction surgery; Sex; Emotional experience; Qualitative research