T Wachter1, M Edlinger2, C Foerg1, G Djedovic1, C Mayerl3, J Kinzl4, T Bauer1, D Wolfram5. 1. Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. 2. Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Innsbruck Medical University, Schoepfstrasse 41/1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. 3. Division of Biological Chemistry, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. 4. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital for Psychosomatic Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. 5. Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: dolores.wolfram@i-med.ac.at.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Most studies on breast reconstruction evaluate different surgical techniques, types of implant or time of reconstruction. Moreover, evaluations are usually performed either by surgeons or by patients, but are rarely compared. We conducted a study on aesthetic outcome following breast reconstruction with implants comparing the evaluation by patients versus medical professionals. METHODS: Forty-seven patients, who had a breast reconstruction with implants between 2001 and 2010 (median follow-up 71 months), underwent a clinical examination, standardized photo documentation and filled out a questionnaire to evaluate their aesthetic result (rate 1 very good to 5 very poor). Photo documentation was independently evaluated by 18 medical professionals using the same evaluation instrument and the results were compared. Gender and patient aspects were taken into account. RESULTS: We found statistically significant differences between patients and medical professional ratings. The patient evaluation was better through all categories as compared to the evaluation by medical personnel. The degree of medical education or gender aspects did not significantly affect the professional ratings. Age at reconstruction, length of follow-up or primary versus secondary reconstruction did not seem to make a difference in the evaluations of the patients versus the medical professionals.. CONCLUSION: The differences between patient and expert opinion in rating of aesthetic results indicate that patient satisfaction is influenced by multiple factors and not only by good aesthetic outcome. Patient evaluation should therefore be carefully considered in treatment and outcome studies of breast reconstruction..
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Most studies on breast reconstruction evaluate different surgical techniques, types of implant or time of reconstruction. Moreover, evaluations are usually performed either by surgeons or by patients, but are rarely compared. We conducted a study on aesthetic outcome following breast reconstruction with implants comparing the evaluation by patients versus medical professionals. METHODS: Forty-seven patients, who had a breast reconstruction with implants between 2001 and 2010 (median follow-up 71 months), underwent a clinical examination, standardized photo documentation and filled out a questionnaire to evaluate their aesthetic result (rate 1 very good to 5 very poor). Photo documentation was independently evaluated by 18 medical professionals using the same evaluation instrument and the results were compared. Gender and patient aspects were taken into account. RESULTS: We found statistically significant differences between patients and medical professional ratings. The patient evaluation was better through all categories as compared to the evaluation by medical personnel. The degree of medical education or gender aspects did not significantly affect the professional ratings. Age at reconstruction, length of follow-up or primary versus secondary reconstruction did not seem to make a difference in the evaluations of the patients versus the medical professionals.. CONCLUSION: The differences between patient and expert opinion in rating of aesthetic results indicate that patient satisfaction is influenced by multiple factors and not only by good aesthetic outcome. Patient evaluation should therefore be carefully considered in treatment and outcome studies of breast reconstruction..
Authors: Lars Johan Sandberg; Kim Alexander Tønseth; Kristine Kloster-Jensen; Jun Liu; Gregory Reece; Martin Halle; Åsa Edsander-Nord; Anna Höckerstedt; Susanna Kauhanen; Tyge Tind Tindholdt; Gudjon Leifur Gunnarsson; Jesse Creed Selber Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2021-10-25
Authors: Joke Hellinga; Joke Fleer; Berend van der Lei; Paul M N Werker; Boudewijn van Etten; Martin W Stenekes Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2021-06-10
Authors: Tanja Wachter; Barbara Del Frari; Michael Edlinger; Evi Maria Morandi; Christina Mayerl; Ralph Verstappen; Emre Celep; Gabriel Djedovic; Johann Kinzl; Anton Herbert Schwabegger; Dolores Wolfram Journal: Arch Plast Surg Date: 2020-03-15
Authors: Lars Johan Sandberg; Kim A Tønseth; Kristine Kloster-Jensen; Jun Liu; Charee Robe; Gregory Reece; Elisabeth H Hansen; Karin Berntsen; Martin Halle; Åsa Edsander-Nord; Anna Höckerstedt; Susanna Kauhanen; Christian Sneistrup; Tyge Tindholdt; Hans Petter Gullestad; Gudjon Leifur Gunnarsson; Erik Berg; Jesse Creed Selber Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2020-04-11