Patient Satisfaction Index and Quality of Life Measurement with Breast-Q after Breast Reconstruction in a Plastic Surgery Center in Mexico

Introduction: Cancer is one of the most devastating pathologies to affect the breast. Mastectomy stigmas are associated with depression, body image dysmorphia, and decreasing quality of life. BREAST-Q is a PROM (Patient Reported Outcome Measures) that has proven useful in measuring satisfaction with breast reconstruction results from the patient’s point of view. Objectives: To measure the satisfaction index and improvement in quality of life after breast reconstruction for breast cancer sequelae in our hospital in the last 5 years. Materials and Methods: Descriptive Study that includes patients with Breast cancer diagnosis that underwent mastectomy and breast reconstruction (prosthesis or autologous tissue) in “Hospital Central Sur de Petroleos Mexicanos” (January 2015 to January 2020), whose satisfaction index was measured with BREAST-Q one year after reconstruction. Results: 153 patients were included in the analysis. Mean global satisfaction was 74 points. We observed a tendency towards higher psychosocial, sexual and appearance satisfaction in patients who underwent reconstruction with autologous tissue. The mean satisfaction with provided information was 64 points and with the medical team > 90 points. Conclusion: Breast reconstruction is associated to a high satisfaction index and quality of life improvement regardless of the technique. BREAST-Q proved to be useful in evaluating patient experience and it helped us identify areas of opportunity to improve our care.

Anthropometric Breast Measurements: Analysis of the Average Breast in the Mexican Female Population

Introduction: The elements and perception of beauty vary between populations around the world. To obtain better results, surgical techniques should be planned based on anthropometric characteristics of the race, location, and body mass index (BMI). Objectives: To determine which are the standard measurements and anatomical proportions of the breast in a healthy Mexican women population. Materials and Methods: Female Mexican volunteers between 20 and 60 years of age, without any history of breast illness or breast surgery were studied. Demographic information and standard breast anthropometric measurements were collected manually by one of the authors. For the statistical analysis a Student-T test was performed, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was obtained using the latest version of SPSS software. Results: 78 volunteers were included in the analysis. Mean height, weight and BMI were 1.6 m, 68.9 Kg, and 26.6 Kg/m2 respectively. The mean anthropometric values found were: Supra Sternal notch to nipple distance (SSN:N) 22 cm, Breast volume (BV) 372.6 cm3, Upper breast pole length (UBPL) 11 cm, Lower Breast Pole length (LBPL) 7.7 cm, Midline to Nipple distance (ML:N) 10.2 cm, Transverse diameter of the Nipple areola complex (NAC-T) 4.1 cm, Height of the Nipple Areola Complex (NAC-H) 4.1 cm, Base of the breast (BB) 13.4 cm, Upper Pole to Lower Pole Ratio (UPP:LPP) 58.9:41.1. A statistically significant difference between Right and left breast was not found. The UPP/ LPP ratio in our population is far different from what is considered internationally aesthetic (45:55). A positive correlation was found between weight/ BMI and SSN:N, BV, BB, ML:N and LBPL. Also between age and SSN:N, LBPL, BV and BB. Conclusion: This study sets the Anthropometric grounds in Mexican population for an objective individual patient analysis and comparison with the female population of this and other nations.