Trends in Reconstructive Surgery Following Mastectomy at a Single Institution Between 2011 and 2015

Philadelphia, PA

Current trends show that same-day breast reconstruction after oncologic breast surgery is increasing. Data regarding the factors contributing to this increase in oncoplastic surgery is lacking. We examine the timing and type of reconstructive surgery following mastectomy at Reading Hospital between 2011 and 2015. We hypothesized that the majority of women would choose immediate reconstruction rather than delayed reconstruction following mastectomy and that the number of reconstructive surgeries would increase from 2011 to 2015 correlating with the increase in availability and popularity of oncoplastic breast procedures. This retrospective study looked at a total of 579 patients, 129 of which underwent reconstructive surgery following their mastectomy (22%). Of those patients, 98% had immediate reconstruction following mastectomy (same day surgery). Of those that underwent reconstruction, the majority of patients elected for tissue expanders vs. musculocutaneous flaps (98% vs. 2%). While we concluded that the overall rate of breast reconstruction after mastectomy between 2011 and 2015 did not change, the increase in bilateral mastectomies for unilateral disease did. This may reflect the increasing popularity of oncoplastics as well as benefits of immediate reconstruction including time, cost and body image.