Current practices of plastic surgeons at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in requesting breast imaging studies prior to non-oncological breast surgeries

BACKGROUND: In the context of the high incidence of breast cancer and the high frequency of breast cosmetic surgeries, malignant and/or premalignant lesions are frequently detected incidentally in postoperative histopathology specimens. The current literature does not provide clear practice guidelines for the use of preoperative imaging prior to non-oncological breast surgeries. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to determine the current practices of plastic surgeons at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) and their use of preoperative breast imaging before non-oncological breast surgeries. DESIGN: Non-intervention/ retrospective record review. SETTINGS: Department of Radiology at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH). METHODS: In 08/06/2017 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, we conducted a single-center, retrospective chart review of the medical files of candidates for non-oncological breast surgery in order to examine preoperative imaging requests by plastic surgeons in the period 01/01/2013 to 08/06/2017. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The practice of plastic surgeons at KAUH in requesting preoperative imaging prior non-oncological breast surgeries. SAMPLE SIZE: 104 patients. RESULTS: We found that, in the period 2013 to 2017, 104 women who underwent non-oncological breast surgeries were evaluated for recent preoperative breast imaging. Only 37 patients (35.6%) were found to have had preoperative imaging, and only less than one fifth (19.4%) of those 37 patients had abnormal preoperative imaging results, all of which were negative for malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Although the yield of malignancy on preoperative breast imaging was zero in women seeking non-oncological breast surgeries at KAUH, we recommend the establishment of unified practice guidelines to be followed by plastic surgeons for better postoperative screening in different risk groups. LIMITATIONS: Lack of follow up of patients postoperatively for any development of malignancy.