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Quantitative Hardness Measurement by Instrumented AFM-indentation
Published on: November 22, 2016
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Objective assessment of reconstructed breast hardness using a durometer
Hiroki Mori1, Noriko Uemura2, Haruka Koga2
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan. moriplas@tmd.ac.jp.
Breast Cancer (Tokyo, Japan)
|June 25, 2017
Summary
A durometer can objectively measure breast hardness after reconstruction, potentially replacing subjective Baker grading. This device shows significant association with palpable hardness in breast cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
Background:
- Evaluating reconstructed breast hardness is crucial for patient outcomes.
- Current methods like Baker grading are subjective.
- Objective measurement tools are needed for consistency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the suitability of a durometer for objectively measuring breast hardness after expander-implant reconstruction.
- To compare durometer readings with established subjective grading and objective MRI measurements.
Main Methods:
- 81 women with breast cancer undergoing expander-implant reconstruction were studied.
- Capsular contracture was assessed using Baker grading and capsular thickness via MRI.
- A durometer was used to measure breast hardness at the upper areola.
Main Results:
- Durometer values significantly correlated with Baker grade III (p=0.0005), indicating palpable hardness.
- Capsular thickness measured by MRI did not show a significant association with Baker grade III.
- The durometer demonstrated high accuracy (AUC 0.92) in identifying Baker grade III hardness.
Conclusions:
- A durometer provides an objective measure of breast hardness following reconstruction.
- This device may offer a more reliable alternative to subjective Baker grading.
- Further research is warranted to validate the clinical utility of the durometer index.
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