SAN FRANCISCO – Women undergoing mastectomy and breast reconstruction for the treatment of breast cancer are more likely to develop perioperative complications if they opt for prophylactic mastectomy of the other breast at the same time, a study of 18,229 cases found.
Compared with women who had a unilateral mastectomy and reconstruction, the 36% of patients who chose bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction were 55% more likely to lose a breast implant (if implants were used for reconstruction), twice as likely to need a transfusion regardless of whether the reconstruction used implants or autologous material, and twice as likely to remain hospitalized for at least 2 days regardless of reconstruction method, Dr. Amanda K. Silva and her associates reported in a poster presentation at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
The reconstruction used implants in 89% of women undergoing bilateral mastectomy and 79% of those getting unilateral mastectomy, Dr. Silva and her colleagues reported.
The overall rate of complications was low, however, averaging 5%, said Dr. Silva, a surgeon at the University of Chicago, and her associates.
In this video interview, Dr. Silva discusses factors that physicians and patients should consider when choosing unilateral or bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction.
Previous studies have compared the risks of unilateral versus bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction, she said, and this study provides some of the first data of risks from either type of mastectomy with reconstruction.
Dr. Silva reported having no financial disclosures.
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