A Retrospective Study Assessing the Outcomes of Immediate Prepectoral and Subpectoral Implant and Mesh-Based Breast Reconstruction

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The aim of the study is to compare the outcomes of implant and synthetic TIGR mesh-based breast reconstructions in breast cancer patients and women, who have higher lifetime risk for breast cancer, with mutated (changed) copy of genes: BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2 or CHEK2. This study included 170 patients after 232 mastectomies and immediate breast reconstructions. Preoperative chemotherapy was associated with more frequent minor complications, but not major ones, while postoperative chemotherapy was related to more frequent serious postoperative complications. Postoperative radiotherapy was associated with a higher rate of minor complications than no-radiotherapy. Our research found complications to be significantly associated with expander, big- volume breast, mastectomy in breast cancer patients vs risk-reducing mastectomy/prophylactic surgery in women with mutated gene and postoperative chemotherapy. Patients in whom prepectoral (prosthesis is placed above the pectoralis major muscle) surgeries were performed demonstrated shorter hospitalization time, and lower minor complication rates, but similar major complication rates. Implant-based breast reconstruction with the use of synthetic mesh is a safe and effective method of breast restoration, associated with low morbidity and good cosmesis. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to evaluate the benefits of such treatments. ABSTRACT: (1) Introduction: In response to patient concerns about breast cancer recurrence, increased use of breast magnetic resonance imaging and genetic testing, and advancements in breast reconstruction techniques, mastectomy rates have been observed to rise over the last decade. The aim of the study is to compare the outcomes of prepectoral and subpectoral implants and long-term, dual-stage resorbable mesh-based breast reconstructions in mutation carriers (prophylactic surgery) and breast cancer patients. (2) Patients and methods: This retrospective, two-center study included 170 consecutive patients after 232 procedures: Prepectoral surgery was performed in 156 cases and subpectoral was performed in 76. (3) Results: Preoperative chemotherapy was associated with more frequent minor late complications (p < 0.001), but not major ones (p = 0.101), while postoperative chemotherapy was related to more frequent serious (p = 0.005) postoperative complications. Postoperative radiotherapy was associated with a higher rate of minor complications (31.03%) than no-radiotherapy (12.21%; p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression found complications to be significantly associated with an expander (OR = 4.43), skin-reducing mastectomy (OR = 9.97), therapeutic mastectomy vs. risk-reducing mastectomy (OR = 4.08), and postoperative chemotherapy (OR = 12.89). Patients in whom prepectoral surgeries were performed demonstrated significantly shorter median hospitalization time (p < 0.001) and lower minor complication rates (5.77% vs. 26.32% p < 0.001), but similar major late complication rates (p = 0.915). (4) Conclusions: Implant-based breast reconstruction with the use of long-term, dual-stage resorbable, synthetic mesh is a safe and effective method of breast restoration, associated with low morbidity and good cosmesis. Nevertheless, prospective, multicenter, and long-term outcome data studies are needed to further evaluate the benefits of such treatments.