Paradigm Shifts in Alloplastic Breast Reconstruction: A Nationwide Analysis of Direct-to-Implant Trends

Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction is an attractive choice for appropriately selected patients, as a single-stage procedure can enhance global metrics of care. In an era of high-value health care, therefore, it is important to investigate use of such procedures. This study investigated direct-to-implant trends over the past decade on a nationwide basis.

This was a retrospective investigation of direct-to-implant reconstruction between 2010 and 2018 in the United States, using the National Inpatient Sample database. All study analyses were undertaken using Stata version 15.0.

The weighted sample included 287,093 women who underwent implant-based reconstruction between 2010 and 2018, of whom 43,064 (15%) underwent direct-to-implant reconstruction. Across the study period, the proportion of direct-to-implant procedures increased significantly ( P = 0.03), relative to staged and delayed implant-based procedures. Although direct-to-implant patients were younger and more likely to be White and privately insured, the proportion of non-White, publicly insured patients undergoing direct-to-implant reconstruction increased significantly by 2018 ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, direct-to-implant use among Medicaid patients was 2.2 times the rate in Medicaid expansion states compared with nonexpansion states. Direct-to-implant patients had significantly higher All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Group risk scores in 2018 than in 2010 ( P = 0.02), indicating expanding clinical indications for this procedure. Direct-to-implant reconstruction had significantly lower inpatient charges than staged procedures ( P = 0.03), when considering expander placement and expander-to-implant exchange.

Overall, use of direct-to-implant breast reconstruction has significantly increased over the past decade, facilitated by expanding clinical indications and improved insurance coverage. However, certain disparities continue to exist. Further work should investigate drivers of disparities to allow continued expansion of direct-to-implant reconstruction as clinically appropriate.

Therapeutic, III.