Bras for Breast Support After Sternotomy: Patient Satisfaction and Wear Compliance

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Surgical Outcomes
• Patient Care

Background:

• Median sternotomy, particularly for larger-breasted women (cup size C+), necessitates effective breast support to minimize complications like pain, wound breakdown, and infection.
• A research gap existed regarding the optimal post-sternotomy bra for patient satisfaction and wear compliance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare patient satisfaction and compliance with three commercially available front-closure bras following cardiac surgery.
• Specifically evaluating bras with hook-loop, zipper, and hook-eye closures in larger-breasted women.

Main Methods:

• A posttest-only, three-group randomized controlled trial was conducted.
• Sixty participants were randomized to receive one of three bra types immediately post-operatively.
• Patient satisfaction and compliance were assessed via surveys at day 5/discharge and during follow-up outpatient visits.

Main Results:

• The hook-eye closure bra demonstrated the highest patient satisfaction both pre- and post-discharge (P = .05, P = .02).
• Participants recommended the hook-eye and zipper bras over the standard hook-loop bra (H = 8.39, P = .02).
• The hook-eye bra group exhibited the greatest wear compliance.

Conclusions:

• The hook-eye closure bra is associated with superior patient satisfaction, compliance, and recommendation following sternotomy.
• A clinical practice change was implemented to utilize the hook-eye bra, fitted in the operating room immediately after surgery.