Scholarlink

Background <p>Breast reconstruction aims to enhance patient quality of life by achieving optimal aesthetic outcomes. This study examines aesthetic preferences and satisfaction among patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction (ABR).</p> Methods <p>A 35-item survey was distributed to adult patients who underwent ABR from 2017 to 2023 at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Patients completed three separate ranking questions in which they were asked to prioritize individual components of the breast (ranked 1–8), abdominal donor site (1–7), and nipple–areolar complex (1–6), with lower values indicating greater importance. Satisfaction was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Non-responders were contacted at 1 and 4 weeks, followed by phone outreach.</p> Results <p>Among 301 eligible patients, 156 responded (52.1%). Breast symmetry was the highest priority (mean = 1.9, SD = 1.2), followed by shape/contour (2.6, 1.4) and position (3.1, 1.6), while NAC (5.3, 1.8) and donor site aesthetics (5.7, 1.6) ranked lowest. Satisfaction was higher for breast aesthetics (66%) than for donor site aesthetics (58%). Black patients prioritized shape/contour (64%) over symmetry (10%), while White patients prioritized symmetry (51%) over shape (26%) (<i>p </i>&lt; 0.05). Black patients also reported greater dissatisfaction with breast (<i>p </i>= 0.006) and donor site (<i>p </i>= 0.029) aesthetics.</p> Conclusion <p>This study shows that patients value different facets of their reconstruction differently. Furthermore, racial differences in aesthetic preferences and satisfaction following ABR emerged, which providers need to be mindful of. Addressing patient expectations through improved communication during the preoperative consultation may enhance aesthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction.</p> Level of Evidence V <p>This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors <a href="http://www.springer.com/00266">www.springer.com/00266</a>.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Assessing Patient Priorities and Satisfaction Regarding Aesthetic Outcomes Following Autologous Breast Reconstruction

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月10日

查看全文
  • Salman Khan,
  • Malia Voytik,
  • Ayaka N. Deguchi,
  • Margaret M. Hornick,
  • Robyn B. Broach,
  • Jessica F. Rose

摘要

Background

Breast reconstruction aims to enhance patient quality of life by achieving optimal aesthetic outcomes. This study examines aesthetic preferences and satisfaction among patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction (ABR).

Methods

A 35-item survey was distributed to adult patients who underwent ABR from 2017 to 2023 at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Patients completed three separate ranking questions in which they were asked to prioritize individual components of the breast (ranked 1–8), abdominal donor site (1–7), and nipple–areolar complex (1–6), with lower values indicating greater importance. Satisfaction was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Non-responders were contacted at 1 and 4 weeks, followed by phone outreach.

Results

Among 301 eligible patients, 156 responded (52.1%). Breast symmetry was the highest priority (mean = 1.9, SD = 1.2), followed by shape/contour (2.6, 1.4) and position (3.1, 1.6), while NAC (5.3, 1.8) and donor site aesthetics (5.7, 1.6) ranked lowest. Satisfaction was higher for breast aesthetics (66%) than for donor site aesthetics (58%). Black patients prioritized shape/contour (64%) over symmetry (10%), while White patients prioritized symmetry (51%) over shape (26%) (p < 0.05). Black patients also reported greater dissatisfaction with breast (p = 0.006) and donor site (p = 0.029) aesthetics.

Conclusion

This study shows that patients value different facets of their reconstruction differently. Furthermore, racial differences in aesthetic preferences and satisfaction following ABR emerged, which providers need to be mindful of. Addressing patient expectations through improved communication during the preoperative consultation may enhance aesthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Level of Evidence V

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.