Post-Mastectomy Flat Closure: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Patient Outcomes and Perspectives.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Plastic Surgery
• Patient-Reported Outcomes Research

Background:

• Mastectomy necessitates understanding psychosocial impacts to guide breast reconstruction decisions.
• The BREAST-Q survey is a key tool for assessing patient satisfaction post-surgery.
• This study focuses on patient experiences with post-mastectomy flat closure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine patient-reported outcomes and experiences with post-mastectomy flat closure.
• To refine decision-making support for patients considering flat closure.
• To evaluate patient satisfaction and influencing factors for choosing flat closure.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 252 patients undergoing post-mastectomy flat closure.
• Analysis of patient demographics, surgical details, and complication rates.
• Administration of the BREAST-Q survey and qualitative analysis of patient emails.

Main Results:

• 17.5% postoperative complication rate observed.
• Surveyed patients reported high satisfaction with surgeons and physical well-being.
• Qualitative feedback indicated limitations in current survey relevance and language.

Conclusions:

• Flat closure is a viable option aligning with patient preferences for fewer complications and faster recovery.
• The BREAST-Q survey has limitations in capturing the full spectrum of patient experiences.
• Refined patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and routine discussion of flat closure are necessary.