Conventional versus Robot-Assisted Immediate Breast Reconstruction: Reconstructive Outcome and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
Hyung Bae Kim, Jae Chung Min, Sae Byul Lee, Jisun Kim, Beom Seok Ko, Hee Jeong Kim, Byung Ho Son, Hyun Ho Han, Jin Sup Eom
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In this study, the authors compared conventional and robot-assisted mastectomy and breast reconstruction. To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to report the results of robot-assisted mastectomy and breast reconstruction and provide a comparison of patient-reported outcomes. METHOD: This retrospective study included 473 breasts of 423 patients who underwent conventional mastectomy and breast reconstruction and 164 breasts of 153 patients who underwent robot-assisted mastectomy and breast reconstruction from July of 2019 to October of 2021. Demographic and oncologic data, reconstructive outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes (BREAST-Q) were evaluated. The results of implant-based and autologous breast reconstruction were evaluated separately. RESULTS: Skin necrosis requiring surgical débridement occurred significantly more frequently in the conventional group (8.0%) than in the robot-assisted group (2.0%) in implant-based reconstruction ( P = 0.035). At 6 to 12 months, patients who underwent robot-assisted breast reconstruction showed a higher Sexual Well-being score for implant-based reconstruction and a higher Physical Well-being score for autologous breast reconstruction than conventional breast reconstruction according to the BREAST-Q questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted mastectomy and breast reconstruction was associated with less skin necrosis and better patient-reported outcomes (Sexual Well-being for implant-based reconstruction and Physical Well-being for autologous breast reconstruction) than the conventional option. Robotic surgery could be a good option for mastectomy and breast reconstruction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.