Cosmetic outcome and quality of life are inextricably linked in breast-conserving therapy

Introduction: Cosmetic results and quality of life (QoL) are increasingly important in the treatment of breast cancer. This study was designed to determine the relationship between QoL and both subjectively and objectively measured cosmetic outcomes of breast-conserving therapy (BCT), and its course over time. Methods: A total of 128 breast cancer patients who underwent BCT as part of a prospective randomized controlled trial were included. QoL was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 36 months. Cosmetic outcome was determined by patient self-evaluation, panel evaluation, and BCCT.core software. Results: By 36 months, all QoL factors except arm symptoms had returned to baseline or improved. After adjustment for patient and tumor characteristics, a significantly better QoL in terms of body image, pain, and arm and breast symptoms was found for good/excellent cosmetic outcomes compared to fair/poor outcomes, as measured by both patient self-evaluation and panel evaluation. The BCCT.core showed no correlation with any QoL factors. Conclusion: There is a high correlation between poor cosmetic outcome and low scores on quality of life indicators, underlining the importance of achieving a good cosmetic outcome after BCT

Breast-conserving surgery following neoadjuvant therapy-a systematic review on surgical outcomes

Purpose: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is increasingly used in breast cancer treatment. One of the main goals of NACT is to reduce the extent of local surgery of the breast and axilla. The aim of this study was to determine surgical outcomes for patients receiving breast-conserving therapy (BCT) after NACT, including margin status plus secondary surgeries, excision volumes, and cosmetic outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA principles. Pubmed, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies investigating the results of BCT following NACT. The main study outcomes were margin status, additional local therapies, excision volumes, and cosmetic outcomes. Non-comparative studies on NACT were also included. Exclusion criteria were studies with less than 25 patients, and studies excluding secondary mastectomy patients. Findings: Of the 1219 studies screened, 26 studies were deemed eligible for analysis, including data from 5379 patients treated with NACT and 10,110 patients treated without NACT. Included studies showed wide ranges of tumor-involved margins (2–39.8%), secondary surgeries (0–45.4%), and excision volumes (43.2–268 cm3) or specimen weight (26.4–233 g) after NACT. Most studies were retrospective, with a high heterogeneity and a high risk of bias. Cosmetic outcomes after NACT were reported in two single-center cohort studies. Both studies showed acceptable cosmetic outcomes. Interpretation: There is currently insufficient evidence to suggest that NACT improves surgical outcomes of BCT. It is imperative that clinical trials include patient outcome measures in order to allow monitoring and meaningful comparison of treatment outcomes in breast cancer

Preservation of the Pectoral Fascia in Mastectomy With Immediate Reconstruction: A Nationwide Survey

Introduction: Pectoral fascia (PF) removal during mastectomy still seems to be the standard procedure. However, preservation of the PF might improve postoperative and cosmetic outcomes, without compromising oncological safety. Here, we report on a national survey among Dutch plastic surgeons and oncological breast surgeons to evaluate their techniques and opinions regarding the PF. Materials and methods: A survey based study was performed in the Netherlands, in which both plastic surgeons and oncological breast surgeons were included, each receiving a different version of the survey. The surveys were distributed to 460 and 150 e-mail addresses, respectively. Results: A total of 68 responses were included from more than half of all Dutch medical centers. The results of this study indicate that circa one in five plastic surgeons and breast surgeons routinely preserve the PF during mastectomies and even more surgeons preserve the PF in specific cases. The surgical techniques and opinions regarding PF preservation widely differ between surgeons. Conclusions: Preservation of the PF does occur in a substantial part of the Dutch medical centers and techniques and opinions are contradictory. Future studies on this topic should clarify the effect of PF preservation on oncological safety, complication rates, postoperative pain, cosmetic outcomes, and patient satisfaction

Intraoperative evaluation of perfusion in free flap surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Free flap survival relies on adequate tissue perfusion. We aim to give an overview of the available literature of all objective methods to intraoperatively assess free flap tissue perfusion, and the effects on (partial) flap loss. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA guidelines was performed (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase) regarding English language articles. Meta-analyses were performed by pooling means and slopes using random-effect models. Results: Sixty-four articles were included reporting on 2369 procedures in 2009 patients with various indications. Reported methods were fluorescence imaging (FI), laser Doppler, oxygen saturation, ultrasound, (dynamic) infrared thermography, venous pressure, and microdialysis. Intraoperative tissue perfusion was adequately measured by the use of FI and laser Doppler, leading to surgical intervention or altered flap design, and increased flap survival. Meta-analysis showed a mean time until onset of the dye to become visible of 18.4 (7.27; 29.46, Q P<0.001) sec. The relative intensity of the flap compared to the intensity curve of normal tissue was 75.92% (65.85; 85.98, Q P=0.719). The mean difference in the slope value of the oxygen tensions before and after the anastomosis was -0.09 (-0.12; -0;06 Q P=0.982). No convincing evidence was found for the use of other methods. Conclusions: Based on the current literature, FI and laser Doppler are most suitable to intraoperatively measure free flap tissue perfusion, resulting in improved flap survival. However, this review was limited by the available literature. Additional studies are necessary to investigate the predictive value of intraoperative perfusion measurement