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Implant-based breast reconstruction failure rate much higher than abdominal tissue reconstruction

Posted Date: March 12, 2013

Implant-based breast reconstruction, particularly immediate reconstruction, is associated with a higher failure rate than a free flap technique in obese people, suggest researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Implant-based breast reconstruction, particularly immediate reconstruction, is associated with a higher failure rate than a free flap technique in obese people, suggest researchers.

Patrick Garvey (The University of Texas, Houston, USA) and colleagues say that obese patients who require breast reconstruction should be treated with a free flap technique instead of an implant-based reconstruction, especially those with class II or III obesity (body mass index [BMI] 35.0-39.9 kg/m2 and ≥40.0 kg/m2, respectively). Furthermore, delayed rather than immediate reconstruction should be considered in obese patients who seek implant-based breast reconstruction, they report in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Garvey and team found that implant-based breast reconstruction demonstrated a significantly higher failure rate than abdominal-based free flap reconstruction, at 15.8% versus 1.5%, in their experience. Read more here