Outcomes of Immediate versus Delayed Autologous Reconstruction with Postmastectomy Radiation: A Meta-Analysis

Postmastectomy autologous breast reconstruction can be immediate or delayed. The safety of performing immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) and the impact of radiation on the newly reconstructed breast is not yet validated.

A PubMed, Embase, and Google scholar search was conducted from inception to September 17, 2023. The authors included comparative studies that assessed complications or aesthetic outcomes of IBR versus delayed breast reconstruction (DBR) in the setting of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT).

The search identified 2693 articles. Thirteen were eligible for inclusion. A total of 565 patients underwent IBR followed by radiotherapy, whereas 699 had DBR. Mean follow-up time and age for both groups were comparable ( P > 0.1). None of the complications-revision surgery, infection, total flap failure, seroma, hematoma, dehiscence, or delayed wound healing-were significantly different across groups ( P > 0.1). IBR was found to have a higher risk of flap fibrosis (OR, 28.18; 95% CI, 5.15 to 154.12; P = 0.0001; I2 = 44%) and skin flap necrosis (OR, 6.12; 95% CI, 2.71 to 13.82; P < 0.0001; I2 = 27%) but a lower risk of partial flap failure (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.58; P = 0.004; I2 = 0%) when compared with DBR. Results of fat necrosis should be interpreted with caution. Patient-reported and objective aesthetic outcomes were mostly comparable between groups.

IBR in the setting of PMRT is increasingly being performed and poses a specific set of challenges that surgeons usually consider. The choice between IBR or DBR in the setting of PMRT should be an individualized decision based on patient risk factors and desires.