Influence of Weight Loss on Volumetric Change in Contralateral Breast During 2-Stage Breast Reconstruction

Abstract

Objective: During 2-stage breast reconstruction in patients with unilateral breast cancer, we sometimes experience cases in which the contralateral breast volume changes greatly. However, few studies have examined volumetric changes in the contralateral breast during 2-stage breast reconstruction. Methods: Changes in contralateral breast volume between the first and second operations were examined in patients who underwent 2-stage unilateral breast reconstruction between February 2013 and August 2016 (123 patients aged 49.1 ± 8.6 years). Influences of age, postoperative treatment, and body weight on volumetric changes in the contralateral breast were statistically analyzed. Results: A positive correlation was observed between changes in body weight and contralateral breast volume (correlation coefficient = 0.218, P = .015). Weight loss was particularly important: all patients who lost more than 3 kg showed decreased contralateral breast volume (P = .010). Age and postoperative treatment had no significant effect on the change in contralateral breast volume. Conclusion: Change in body weight, and massive weight loss in particular, is an important factor for volumetric changes in the contralateral breast during 2-stage unilateral breast reconstruction.

Keywords: body weight; breast reconstruction; contralateral breast; volumetric change; weight loss.

Figure 1

Changes in the contralateral breast volume in different age groups. There was no significant difference between the groups.

Figure 2

Changes in the contralateral breast volume in groups with different postoperative treatments. There was no significant difference between the groups.

Figure 3

Correlation between the changes in body weight and contralateral breast volume (correlation coefficient = 0.218, P = .015).

Figure 4

Volumetric changes in the contralateral breast in patients who lost more than 3 kg in body weight (P = .010).

Figure 5

Volumetric changes in the contralateral breast in patients who gained more than 3 kg in body weight (P = .832).

Figure 6

A 44-year-old woman with left breast cancer who underwent mastectomy and had no postoperative treatment. The patient had a body weight of 52 kg and contralateral breast volume of 207 cm³ before the first operation (upper panels). Before the second operation, the patient weighed 48 kg and the contralateral breast volume was 134 cm³ (lower panels).

Figure 7

A 38-year-old woman with left breast cancer who underwent mastectomy and postoperative hormonal therapy. The patient had a body weight of 78 kg and contralateral breast volume of 480 cm³ before the first operation (upper panels). Before the second operation, the patient weighed 73 kg and the contralateral breast volume was 325 cm³ (lower panels).