Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Complications Following Mastectomy and Prosthetic Reconstruction in Patients With and Without Prior Breast Augmentation

Background: There is limited evidence available in the literature with regard to the complication profile of mastectomy and immediate prosthetic reconstruction in augmented patients. Objectives: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare postoperative complications between women with vs without prior augmentation undergoing skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate prosthetic reconstruction. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in February 2020 for studies comparing women with vs without prior augmentation undergoing skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate prosthetic reconstruction with documentation of postoperative complications. Outcomes analyzed included early, late, and overall complications. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were obtained through meta-analysis. Results: Our meta-analysis, which included 6 studies comparing 241 breasts with prior augmentation and 1441 without, demonstrated no significant difference between the 2 groups in rates of early (36.7% vs 24.8%: OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.94-2.64; P = 0.09), late (10.1% vs 19.9%: OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.06-4.89; P = 0.57), and overall complications (36.5% vs 31.2%: OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.76-2.00; P = 0.40). Subgroup analysis showed a significantly higher rate of hematoma formation in the augmented group (3.39% vs 2.15%: OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.00-7.16; P = 0.05), but no difference in rates of seroma, infection, mastectomy skin flap necrosis, and prosthesis loss. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggests that prior augmentation does not significantly increase overall postoperative complications in women undergoing skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate prosthetic reconstruction. However, the significantly higher rate of hematoma formation in augmented patients warrants further investigation and preoperative discussion.

Automated summary

This study aimed to compare postoperative complications in women undergoing skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate prosthetic reconstruction, with or without prior augmentation. The meta-analysis showed no significant difference in overall complications between the two groups, but a higher risk of hematoma formation in patients with prior augmentation. Further investigation and preoperative discussions are warranted regarding this finding.