Obese Women Experience Fewer Complications after Oncoplastic Breast Repair following Partial Mastectomy Than after Immediate Total Breast Reconstruction

Background: The authors hypothesized that obese patients would experience fewer complications after oncoplastic breast reconstruction following partial mastectomy than after immediate breast reconstruction following total mastectomy. Methods: Complication rates were compared for oncoplastic breast reconstruction versus immediate breast reconstruction (with either implants or autologous tissue) in consecutive obese patients (body mass index ≥30 kg/m²) treated at a single center between January of 2005 and April of 2013. Logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between patient and surgical characteristics and postoperative outcomes. Results: The study included 408 patients: 131 oncoplastic breast reconstruction and 277 immediate breast reconstruction patients. Presenting breast cancer stage was similar between the two groups. Oncoplastic breast reconstruction patients were older (55 years versus 53 years; p = 0.029), more obese (average body mass index, 37 kg/m² versus 35 kg/m²; p < 0.001), and had more comorbidities. Nevertheless, the oncoplastic breast reconstruction group experienced fewer major complications requiring operative management (3.8 percent versus 28.5 percent; p < 0.001), fewer complications delaying adjuvant therapy (0.8 percent versus 14.4 percent; p < 0.001), and fewer incidences of hematoma/seroma formation (3.1 percent versus 11.6 percent; p < 0.004) than the immediate total breast reconstruction group. Univariate analysis found oncoplastic breast reconstruction to be an independent protector against major complications (OR, 0.1; p < 0.001) and complications that delayed adjuvant therapy (OR, 0.05; p = 0.002). Conclusion: Oncoplastic breast reconstruction likely represents a safer option than immediate total breast reconstruction following mastectomy for obese patients, particularly for patients who are superobese or present with preexisting medical comorbidities.