Breast reconstruction at The Aga Khan University - A 10 year audit

Abstract

Considering the high incidence of breast cancer and the subsequent need for a mastectomy, the number of patients having breast reconstruction remains relatively low the world over. Most studies from the west show that anywhere between 5% to around 50% of women proceed to reconstruction following a complete mastectomy. There is a great paucity of literature on the subject in Pakistan. Anecdotal and unofficial accounts would suggest that less than a fraction of 1% of women in Pakistan undergo reconstruction following a mastectomy.We reviewed our cases retrospectively over a 10 year study period from January 2005 to December 2014 with the objective to assess our results and to learn from them as well as to attempt to raise the profile of this important reconstructive manoeuver. Our numbers are low when compared internationally. However on a national level it would seem that the numbers currently exceed most institutions in the country. The overall results appear to be acceptable though the low numbers preclude definitive conclusions.

Keywords: Breast reconstruction, Breast implant, Expander, Mastectomy, Capsular contracture..