A Comparative Analysis of 2 National Breast Reconstruction Surveys: Concerns Regarding Autologous and Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Pertinent findings of two national breast reconstruction (BR) surveys from two different institutions at two separate times (2012 vs 2010) were analyzed for comparison. METHODS: An appraisal of sampling methodology, sample demographics, years of practice, practice affiliation, BR type, and annual volume between the two studies was conducted using statistical analysis. RESULTS: Proper sampling technique and adequate sample size were used in both surveys to represent the typical population of general US plastic surgeons practicing BR. There were no differences in mean age or years of practice between the sample population in both studies. The percentage of plastic surgeons with academic affiliation was higher in the 2012 survey compared to the 2010 survey (28% vs 18%, P<0.05). Implant-based BR was the predominant method among surveyed plastic surgeons in both surveys. There was a substantial decrease in the proportion of plastic surgeons performing >20 cases per year in the 2012 survey compared to the 2010 survey (P<0.05). A high volume of BR, defined as >60 cases per year in the 2010 survey and >20 cases per year in the 2012 survey, correlated significantly with academic practice and multidisciplinary cancer centers, respectively (P<0.05). There was a significant decline in the percentage of plastic surgeons performing microsurgical BR from 2010 to 2012 (35% vs 25%, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Comparative data suggest that there are fewer high volume BR cases being performed by US plastic surgeons and that there has been a reduction among plastic surgeons in the use of microsurgical BR from 2010 to 2012. We believe that these findings may indicate early signs of the changes in BR trends in the US.