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Implant reconstruction less safe than autologous reconstruction after breast radiation

In the post-radiation setting, implant breast reconstruction was associated with a failure rate more than 10 times higher than the rate observed for autologous reconstruction, according to recent findings.

The researchers aimed to evaluate morbidity associated with several breast reconstruction techniques in patients who have undergone radiation for breast cancer. They assessed data from 4,781 patients who underwent procedures from 2009 to 2012. Of this group, 3,846 (80%) underwent reconstruction using implants.

The complication rates were 45.3% for those receiving implant reconstruction and 30.8% for those receiving autologous reconstruction. The failure rate for implants was 29.4%, compared with 4.3% in the autologous group.

Multivariate analysis results indicated that implant reconstruction yielded a two-fold risk of complication and an 11-fold risk of failure compared with autologous reconstruction.

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.