Delay of adjuvant radiotherapy due to postoperative complications after oncoplastic breast conserving surgery

In the past a mastectomy was the first approach of treating breast cancer. Oncoplastic techniques combined with breast conserving surgery (BCS) and radiotherapy has become an alternative to mastectomy in patients with non-metastasized breast cancer. The aim of this study was to analyse the amount and types of complications occurring after oncoplastic BCS before and after adjuvant radiotherapy and the delay of adjuvant therapy due to the complications.

A retrospective study based on all patients who received immediate oncoplastic BCS by a plastic surgeon at two medical hospitals in The Netherlands between 2013 and 2015. (n = 150). The performed oncoplastic BCS techniques were the primary outcome measures. In particular major complications with the need for antibiotics or surgical intervention. A one-year follow-up was achieved for all patients.

52% of the 150 included patients received an oncoplastic BCS through the reduction pattern, 35% with a LICAP and 10% with an AICAP. Complications occurred in 37.5% of the patients, 10% of the patients needed treatment with antibiotics and in 6.6% of the patients a revision operation was indicated. 79.6% of all postoperative complications occurred before the start of adjuvant radiotherapy. In 8.2% of the patients the adjuvant radiotherapy had to be delayed due to a complication.

This study provides a detailed overview of the used techniques of oncoplastic BCS and their postoperative complications. Most complications occurred before the start of the adjuvant radiotherapy. Just a small amount caused a delay for the radiotherapy to start.