Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4279354 | The American Journal of Surgery | 2013 | 6 Pages |
BackgroundNeoadjuvant therapy is important in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.MethodsPostoperative complications in neoadjuvant patients were analyzed.ResultsOne hundred forty patients underwent 148 breast cancer surgeries after neoadjuvant therapy: 28% breast-conserving therapy procedures, 36% mastectomies, 28% mastectomies with immediate reconstruction, and 8% mastectomies with delayed reconstruction. Forty-seven patients (34%) suffered 59 complications: 18% of those undergoing breast-conserving therapy, 30% of those undergoing mastectomy, 44% of those undergoing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, and 67% of those undergoing mastectomy with delayed reconstruction. Major complications occurred in 18% of patients. Skin loss occurred in 6% of patients. One patient had partial nipple necrosis. Three patients suffered implant loss. One patient had deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap loss. Eleven hematomas and 5 infectious complications required reoperation.ConclusionsSurgery after neoadjuvant therapy is safe, but careful counseling is warranted given that 18% of patients experienced major complications. Complications rates are higher with reconstruction, but feared complications of skin, nipple, implant, or flap loss were infrequent.