Function and Strength after Free Abdominally Based Breast Reconstruction: A 10-Year Follow-Up.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The long-term impact of abdominally based free flap breast reconstruction is incompletely understood. The aim of this study is to provide long-term, subjective and objective health data on abdominally based free flap breast reconstruction patients, with specific attention to the effects of laterality, flap type, and obesity.

Methods

Patients were enrolled in this prospective study between 2005 and 2010 and completed preoperative, early (<1 year), and long-term (5 to 10 years) evaluations. Objective examination included an assessment of upper and lower abdominal function and a functional independence measure. Patient-reported outcomes included the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey and the BREAST-Q abdominal well-being module. Scores were compared by laterality (unil

SUBMITTER: Nelson JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7510166 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature