Work

Patient-reported outcome of bilateral and contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy: A cross- sectional study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives There is a lack of studies evaluating patient satisfaction after a risk-reducing mastectomy using validated instruments. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient-reported outcomes (PRO) after risk-reducing mastectomy and primary implant reconstruction. Methods We retrospectively collected and interviewed all patients who underwent risk-reducing mastectomy and implant reconstruction at the Breast Unit of the Kepler University Hospital Linz (Austria) between 2011 and 2021. The patients were divided into two groups: The first group included patients who underwent bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy and the second group included those who underwent contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy. The results were analysed separately. Results A total of 114 patients with a high risk of breast cancer were selected for this study. Of these patients who met the inclusion criteria, 78 completed the questionnaire: 43 underwent a contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy (CRRM) and 35 underwent a bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy (BRRM). Both groups showed high overall satisfaction, with the CRRM group achieving a slightly better result that reached statistical significance in the domain “satisfaction with breasts” (69 vs. 58, p=0.011). More than 80% of patients would repeat this operation. The most important factor that guided patients toward a risk-reducing procedure was the fear of cancer. Conclusions In our study, favorable PROs and satisfaction were observed after risk-reducing mastectomies. These results may help physicians to counsel women at high risk of breast cancer.

Source: Next research.

DOI: 10.1016/j.nexres.2025.100431

Authors: M Affortunati, P Oppelt, P Schrenk, N Brandstetter, S Schuster, C.I. Preuss

Institutions: Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Kepler Universitätsklinikum

Language: English

Topic: Breast Implant and Reconstruction

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,500