The Impact of Travel Distance on Patient Outcomes after Breast Reconstruction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Geographical barriers can impact access to healthcare, but their influence on complications and long-term patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after breast reconstruction is unclear. This study evaluates the impact of travel distance on postoperative complications and PROs using the BREAST-Q.

Patients and methods

Patients who underwent postmastectomy breast reconstruction between 2017 and 2023 were categorized by travel distance into five groups (0-10, 11-25, 26-50, 51-100, 101+ miles). Complications assessed included wound infection, delayed wound healing, hematoma, mastectomy skin flap necrosis, and seroma. BREAST-Q domains-physical well-being of the chest (PWBC), psychosocial well-being (PSWB), satisfaction with breasts (SATSB), and sexual well-being (SWB)-were eva

SUBMITTER: Levy J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12739936 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature