ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate Chinese patients' preferences for different types of incisions for breast augmentation surgeries and to evaluate the impacts of preoperative education on patients' choices.Methods The 403 patients who underwent implantation surgeries during May 2012 to Dec.2016 were included in the survey.These patients were investigated with questionnaires before and after receiving preoperative education in order to ascertain their preferences and concerns based on comprehensive understanding of different types of incisions.Results After receiving the preoperative education on incisions,158 (39.21％) patients changed their initial choices.The number of patients who chose axillary or periareolar approaches decreased to 205 (50.87％) and 31 (7.69％) respectively,while the number of patients who chose IMF incisions increased to 167 (41.44 ％).The majority of patients who chose the axillary of periareola incisions cited easily-hidden scars as their primary selection criterion (81.95 ％ and 93.55 ％,respectively).However,the patients who opted for IMF incisions primarily concerned about the lower capsular contracture rate (31.74 ％),less tissue trauma (22.75 ％)and lower possibility of injury to the breast parenchyma (21.56 ％).Conclusions The preoperative education materials help the Chinese patients fully understand the characteristics of different types of incision locations and make proper decisions.