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RACS ASC 2026
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Complication rates and patient-reported outcomes of immediate autologous breast reconstruction: insights from a coordinated, combined breast reconstruction service
Verbal Presentation

Verbal Presentation

12:20 pm

01 May 2026

Bellevue Ballroom 1

The Grantley Gill Breast Surgery Research Paper Prize

Disciplines

Breast Surgery

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Presentation Description

Institution: Fiona Stanley Hospital - Western Australia, Australia

Purpose: Immediate autologous breast reconstruction has many advantages but presents logistical challenges. Establishing a coordinated, combined model of care delivery has been shown to increase breast unit productivity at minimal cost. This study sought to validate this novel intervention by evaluating clinical and patient-reported outcomes following its implementation. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving patients who underwent immediate autologous breast reconstruction at a Western Australian tertiary centre over five years. The BREAST-Q v2.0 Reconstruction Module was used to collect patient-reported outcome data. Clinicopathological data were analysed using SPSS v.27. Results: 105 patients were included, with a mean age of 48.8 (SD ± 9.5) and mean BMI of 27.0 (SD ± 4.3). The vast majority of reconstructions (84.8%) were DIEP flaps. Overall 90-day complication rate was 37.1%, with rates of unplanned re-operation and flap failure of 10.5% and 1.0%, respectively. The most frequent complication was wound dehiscence (8.6% breast, 17.1% donor site). BREAST-Q response rate was 48.1%. Overall breast satisfaction was high, with 84% of patients answering ‘satisfied’ more than ‘dissatisfied’. Sexual well-being and psychosocial well-being scores were lower than in prior literature, though this may be influenced by a significant number of patients still awaiting aesthetic revision. Patient-reported outcomes were poorer among those without a cancer diagnosis, highlighting the importance of a robust risk-benefit discussion prior to mastectomy and reconstruction. Conclusion: The findings of this follow-up study showed serious complication rates and breast satisfaction on par with literature benchmarks. This further supports its application in other healthcare settings.
Presenters
Authors
Authors

Dr Alexander Armanios - , Dr Munyaradzi Nyandoro - , Dr Lalitya Chilaka - , Dr Nisha Jayachitra - , Dr Mary Teoh - , Dr Ellen Maclean - , Dr Saud Hamza -