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Updated: Oct 7, 2026
Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy: a survey of general surgeons in Singapore
1Changi General Hospital, Department of Surgery, Singapore. dr.jlim@pacific.net.sg
Background:
Breast cancer is the leading malignancy among women in Singapore. In the West as many as 30% of eligible patients undergo some form of reconstruction, but in Singapore breast reconstruction is not often performed.
Methods:
A postal survey of general surgeons in Singapore (response rate of 46%) was conducted to ascertain the factors influencing their decision to refer for reconstruction and the possible concerns they had about reconstruction.
Results:
Age, anticipated psychosocial morbidity and the need for adjuvant therapy were the most important factors identified. The survey also found that almost 30% of respondents were unsure of whether reconstruction would mask recurrence. Despite this, almost 80% of respondents felt that reconstruction was worth the effort, but 55% (compared to less than 20% in the West) felt that patients did not want reconstruction despite being advised of its availability.
Conclusion:
Lack of information and the perception that patients would not want reconstruction may be important reasons for the low emphasis placed on the role of breast reconstruction in post-mastectomy patients.
