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Updated: Nov 27, 2025
Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
Patients' and surgeons' experiences after failed breast reconstruction: A qualitative study
Casimir A E Kouwenberg1, Lothar E van Hoogdalem2, Marc A M Mureau3
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Section Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Breast reconstruction failure significantly impacts patients and surgeons. Improved communication and understanding personal experiences are crucial for better coping strategies after failed breast reconstruction (BR).
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Patient Experience
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Postmastectomy breast reconstruction (BR) aims to enhance patient quality of life.
- Complications in autologous BR (A-BR) and implant-based BR (I-BR) can lead to BR failure, causing distress.
- This study investigates patient and surgeon experiences following BR failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of patients and surgeons after breast reconstruction failure.
- To identify key themes in patient-surgeon communication and decision-making regarding revision procedures.
- To understand the emotional and psychological impact of BR failure on all parties involved.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients experiencing BR failure and participating plastic surgeons.
- Participants were drawn from a large, multicenter cohort study.
- Grounded theory principles were applied for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Three primary themes emerged: personal experiences with BR failure, motivations for revision surgery, and patient-surgeon communication.
- Patients desire more personalized care, focusing on their feelings and life circumstances, rather than a purely technical approach.
- Surgeons may feel guilt and a drive for revision, while patients may be hesitant; the impact of implant-based BR failure and need for aftercare is significant.
Conclusions:
- Findings highlight the need for enhanced patient-centered communication and emotional support in managing BR failures.
- Recommendations focus on improving clinical practice to better support both patients and surgeons in coping with BR failure.
- Addressing personal life implications and providing adequate aftercare are essential for successful outcomes.
