Breast Animation Deformity: A Retrospective Study on Long-Term and Patient-Reported Breast-Q Outcomes

We evaluated the aesthetic outcomes and quality of life of patients who underwent neurotomy of the lateral and medial branch of the pectoralis nerve for animation deformity after breast reconstruction.

Health-related quality of life questionnaire and cosmetic outcome evaluation were conducted using the preoperative and the postoperative BREAST-Q modules for reconstructive surgery. An external author also assessed the general aesthetic outcome before and after surgery.

Sixty-two patients with animation deformity after breast reconstruction were enrolled: 43 in group 1 (second-stage breast reconstruction), 10 in group 2 (permanent breast prosthesis), and 9 in group 3 (Baker III-IV capsular contraction). Patients scored high level of satisfaction with outcome concerning all aspects of the survey. Overall satisfaction with breast was significantly increased after surgery in all the 3 groups, whereas physical well-being was improved in group 1 and group 3 and psychosocial well-being was improved in group 1. General outcome evaluation by an external author, compared with the preoperative condition, also showed significant improvement.

Section of the lateral and medial branches of the pectoralis nerve represents an easy and reproducible technique, associated with low morbidity and very good results in terms of patient satisfaction, comfort, and hospitalization.