Version 1
: Received: 14 May 2024 / Approved: 14 May 2024 / Online: 14 May 2024 (10:48:20 CEST)
How to cite:
Hong, S. E.; Kang, D. Navigating the Pandemic: Shifts in Breast Reconstruction Trends and Surgical Decision-Making in the United States. Preprints2024, 2024050940. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.0940.v1
Hong, S. E.; Kang, D. Navigating the Pandemic: Shifts in Breast Reconstruction Trends and Surgical Decision-Making in the United States. Preprints 2024, 2024050940. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.0940.v1
Hong, S. E.; Kang, D. Navigating the Pandemic: Shifts in Breast Reconstruction Trends and Surgical Decision-Making in the United States. Preprints2024, 2024050940. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.0940.v1
APA Style
Hong, S. E., & Kang, D. (2024). Navigating the Pandemic: Shifts in Breast Reconstruction Trends and Surgical Decision-Making in the United States. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.0940.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Hong, S. E. and Daihun Kang. 2024 "Navigating the Pandemic: Shifts in Breast Reconstruction Trends and Surgical Decision-Making in the United States" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.0940.v1
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast reconstruction trends in the United States, focusing on implant-based and autologous techniques, as well as the timing of reconstruction (immediate vs. delayed).
Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' National Plastic Surgery Statistics from 2015 to 2022 was conducted. Annual trends in breast reconstruction procedures were analyzed, comparing the pre-pandemic (2015-2019) and pandemic (2020-2022) periods.
Results: The total number of breast reconstructions increased from 106,338 in 2015 to 151,641 in 2022. The proportion of implant-based reconstructions decreased from 81.41% pre-pandemic to 76.51% during the pandemic (p < 0.001), with a notable rise in direct-to-implant procedures from 10.37% to 19.12% (p < 0.001). Autologous reconstructions increased from 18.59% to 23.49% (p < 0.001). Among autologous techniques, DIEP flaps remained the most popular. Immediate reconstruction rates increased from 72.61% pre-pandemic to 75.57% during the pandemic, while delayed recon-struction rates decreased from 27.39% to 24.43% (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced breast reconstruction trends in the United States, with a shift towards autologous techniques, particularly DIEP flaps, and an in-crease in immediate reconstructions. These changes may reflect adaptations in surgical practice and decision-making processes in response to the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. Further research is needed to assess the long-term outcomes and patient satisfaction associated with these trends.
Keywords
Breast reconstruction; COVID-19; implant; autologous; immediate; delayed; DIEP; DTI
Subject
Medicine and Pharmacology, Surgery
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
