One-stage breast reconstruction techniques in elderly patients to preserve quality of life

The aim of this study was to review one-stage breast reconstruction techniques performed in elderly patients at our institution to identify the criteria of selection of each in terms of outcomes and quality of life.

Patients older than 65 years who underwent one-stage breast reconstruction between January 2004 and July 2014 at our hospital were included. Patients and procedure-related data were collected from the medical records. In particular, patient's age, comorbidities and related ASA physical status, type of one-stage breast reconstruction technique, and criteria of selection were analyzed. Outcomes and results were also evaluated in terms of quality of life using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and -BR23 questionnaires 1 year after surgery.

A total of 840 women underwent breast reconstruction, of whom 138 elderly women received one-stage breast reconstruction. There were 118 cases (85.5%) of monolateral reconstructions and 20 cases (14.5%) of bilateral reconstructions, resulting in 138 breast reconstructions. These were performed with permanent inflatable expanders in the sub-muscular position (Group A, n= 50), with acellular dermal matrix and partial sub-muscular anatomic implant (Group B, n= 50), and with Braxon® acellular dermal matrix and anatomic implant with muscle-sparing technique (Group C, n= 38). The EORTC questionnaires showed the best results in Group C regarding the quality of life.

The elderly population is rapidly increasing, and 50% of all breast cancers occur in women older than 65 years; among them, only 2% undergo breast reconstruction. A major aspect of breast cancer treatment and subsequent quality of life is the opportunity for a post-mastectomy reconstructive surgery. As survival rates are improving, a larger proportion of patients live with the long-term consequences of their treatment, and breast reconstruction ensures a better quality of life. To increase the reconstruction rates, surgery should be one-stage, less invasive as possible, allowing rapid recovery, especially in elderly women, in whom comorbidities are often present with a higher anaesthetic risk. Our study highlighted that non-skin sparing mastectomy (SSM) and delayed reconstructions should be addressed with Becker implants; immediate reconstructions after SSM should be followed by acellular dermal matrix (ADM)-assisted implant reconstruction, preferring the wrap technique offers a better quality of life in elderly patients.