Use of Animation Video and Clay Model for Surgical Decision-Making in Patients with Early Breast Cancer-A Prospective...

Patient perspectives on breast cancer surgical techniques are influenced by various factors. The time given by the care providers to patients for appropriate decision-making is minimal in the developing world. Effective presurgical counseling is crucial for empowering patients, managing expectations, promoting informed decision-making, and optimizing outcomes. This study employed animation storytelling technique and clay model on patients to understand breast surgical techniques.

To evaluate the use of animation video and clay model in counseling patients eligible for breast conservation surgery (BCS) on the differences between modified radical mastectomy, BCS, and oncoplasty.

A prospective observational study was undertaken including 40 patients under 60 years of age, eligible for BCS, at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India. Patients viewed a 4-minute animation video and a clay model demonstrating tissue displacement and reconstruction techniques. Responses from a three-question questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS 23 and compared with historical controls adapted from the study of Bothra et al.

Scores assessing awareness, understanding of surgical techniques, and interest in BCS among patients who underwent mastectomy, BCS, and oncoplasty were comparable. Patients exposed to both animation and clay models showed slightly higher scores across all groups, compared with historic controls, though not statistically significant ( p  = 0.144, 0.199, and 0.198). Overall, patients and relatives expressed satisfaction with the educational tools, finding them helpful in decision-making.

Animation video and clay model are valuable tools in modern surgical education and patient care, enhancing understanding and facilitating informed decision-making. These visual aids empower patients and support health care providers in delivering comprehensive counseling on surgical options for breast cancer treatment.