The Impact of Animation Deformity on Quality of Life in Post-Mastectomy Reconstruction Patients

Abstract

4.

Animation Deformity in Postmastectomy Implant-Based Reconstruction

“…This difference would be anticipated due to the absence of the breast parenchyma to camouflage the deformity, as well as the probability of more aggressive muscle separation inferomedially to accommodate generally larger breast reconstruction implants. Compared with the recent study by Becker and Fregosi 2 , our patients were slightly less aware of AD (75.6% versus 80%). Whereas Becker and Fregosi 2 found that 36% of patients experienced severe AD, 11% of ours experienced severe AD.…”

“…This may not only be unsightly and embarrassing for the breast reconstruction patient but may also cause discomfort with certain activities; in more extreme cases, AD can be emotionally and physically debilitating. 2 Although Spear et al 1 found that 53% of patients note AD after submuscular breast augmentation, we found this number to be notably higher in the breast reconstruction population (75.6%). This difference would be anticipated due to the absence of the breast parenchyma to camouflage the deformity, as well as the probability of more aggressive muscle separation inferomedially to accommodate generally larger breast reconstruction implants.…”

“… 1 However, to our knowledge, only 1 other study has defined the prevalence and effect of AD in the subpectoral implant-based breast reconstruction patient population. 2 Given the recent rise in prepectoral, implant-based reconstruction, an assessment of patient experience with AD in the partial subpectoral implant-based reconstruction population is timely and relevant.…”

Direct-to-Implant Extracellular Matrix Hammock-based Breast Reconstruction; Prepectoral or Subpectoral?

“…Breast animation deformity (BAD), also referred to as breast distortion or 'jumping breast', is characterised by an unsightly deformation of the whole breast, breast skin or nipple-areolar complex [10]. The consequences of BAD have been described in cosmetic surgery following subpectoral breast augmentation by Spears in 2009 [11] although have not been widely addressed until recently.…”

Discussion: Treatment of Breast Animation Deformity in Implant-Based Reconstruction with Selective Nerve Ablation

“…Unlike the aesthetic population, the reconstructive patient population is more sensitive to the negative impacts of animation deformity. In a study by Becker and Fregosi of 25 patients after mastectomy with implants placed in a subpectoral plane, almost all patients had animation deformity and 80% of the patients were bothered by the animation deformity and 45% were bothered by it to a significant degree [2].…”