Complications Following Abdominal-Based Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.
Higher BMI is associated with increased wound complications after microsurgical breast reconstruction
Complications Following Abdominal-Based Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.
Microsurgical breast reconstruction is the gold standard for patients after a mastectomy.
This study aimed to uncover variables associated with post-surgical complications following microsurgical autologous reconstruction in a single centre Australian cohort with the aim of informing future strategies to reduce risk and cost.
We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis utilising data from the electronic medical records of a tertiary breast reconstruction service in Melbourne, Australia between August 2022 and February 2024.
Multivariate logistic analysis found that for every kg/m 2 point increase in BMI, respiratory complications increased by 8%.
Respiratory comorbidities and operative duration were also associated with respiratory complications.
Respiratory comorbidities and intra-operative fluid volume were also associated with wound complications.
We identified several pre- and intra-operative risk factors that may assist in informing changes to standard clinical practice, in the hopes of optimising the overall experience for a patient undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction.
These quantified risks may also enable better patient education or institutional decisions to offer alternative pathways to high-risk patients.