Oncoplastic Breast Reconstruction in Morbidly Obese Patients: An Acceptable Practice

Breast cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy amongst women. Lumpectomy with adjuvant radiation is a mainstay of surgical treatment. Oncoplastic breast reconstruction reduces the resultant breast deformity. Obesity is a risk factor for the development of complications after breast reconstruction. This study's purpose was to determine if oncoplastic breast reconstruction is a safe procedure in obese patients.

A single institution retrospective chart review was performed on women undergoing oncoplastic breast reduction from 2009 to 2021. Patients were then divided into groups based on body mass index (BMI). A statistical analysis was performed comparing rates of complications and time to adjuvant therapy.

An estimated 340 patients were identified with an average age of 56.2 years (140 with BMI <30 kg/m², 87 with BMI 30-34.9 kg/m², 62 with BMI 35-39.9 kg/m², and 51 with BMI >40 kg/m²). There was a significant difference between the BMI greater than 40 kg per m² and BMI less than 30 kg per m² group in the number of returns to the operating room (P = 0.0096), major complications (P = 0.0002), and minor complications (P = 0.0051). Average time to adjuvant treatment was 47 days and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.1691).

There was a significant difference in major and minor complications between the BMI groups; however, there was no delay in the time to adjuvant therapy. Therefore, we conclude that with appropriate counseling on surgical risks, oncoplastic breast reduction is an acceptable option for breast cancer patients after lumpectomy, regardless of BMI.