Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction in the Elderly: Complications and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Women Older Than...

Advanced age is considered by many to be a relative contraindication to breast reconstruction. However, despite increased medical comorbidities and a perception that elderly patients are less concerned with body image, more women older than 70 years are choosing to undergo breast reconstruction. There is a paucity of data to guide reconstructive decision-making and counseling in this population.

The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction, complication rates, and long-term outcomes in women older than 70 years undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction.

A total of 400 patients were identified at the authors' institution and divided into 2 groups: ≥70 and <70 years old. Medical comorbidities, surgical outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes as defined by the BREAST-Q were compared using the χ2 tests for categorical variables and t tests for continuous variables.

The cohort of patients older than 70 years was made up of 25 women, with a mean age of 73 years, and the cohort of patients younger than 70 years was made up of 375 women, with a mean age of 50 years. There was no significant difference in body mass index (P = 0.373), smoking status (P = 0.360), or history of prior ipsilateral radiation (P = 0.508) between the 2 cohorts; however, the elderly cohort was significantly more likely to have diabetes (P = 0.026). Although elderly patients were less likely to undergo bilateral mastectomy (P < 0.001), there was no significant difference in the type of mastectomy, pathological diagnosis, or method of reconstruction. There was no significant difference in complication rates when looking at minor infection (P = 0.553) or major infection (P = 0.553). The 2 groups were equally likely to undergo secondary procedures (P = 0.192). Overall satisfaction rates were high in all BREAST-Q categories in the elderly group and not significantly different when compared with the group of patients younger than 70 years. Matched-pair analysis showed a significant difference with the group of patients older than 70 years having higher levels physical well-being (P < 0.001).

Immediate breast reconstruction can be performed safely and with similar high satisfaction rates in the elderly population as their younger counterparts. Age alone should not be used as a reason for excluding women from these life-changing operations.