The experiences of and the nursing care for breast cancer patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction

This study explores the experiences of and the nursing care for nine women with breast cancer undergoing immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) with a TRAM-flap. The study was prospective and descriptive and source and method triangulation was used. Source triangulation consisted of the patients' and nurses' perspectives, whilst method triangulation combined interviews, questionnaires and medical records. One result is that the meaning of IBR for the women operated is related to feelings of hope, normality and 'wholeness'. Another result is that not all the needs of the patients are assessed and met; the nursing care during admission is mainly focused on the physical care and after dismissal the patients are left in a situation characterized by vulnerability and a sense of emptiness. The study points to some implications in the means of quality development and rehabilitation.