External breast prostheses after mastectomy: production and selection of a low-cost functional model to be performed in developing countries.

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women. Despite advancements in early diagnosis, neoadjuvant therapy, and various treatment modalities, mastectomy remains a common procedure for many women. Although some women opt for reconstructive surgery (BR), many do not have the indication, desire, or opportunity to undergo this procedure. Methods: An easily manufactured, washable, lightweight, and inexpensive external breast prosthesis (EBP) model was developed specifically for the study. Participants were presented with five EBP models-one commercially available, three manufactured options, and one created for the study-and were asked to choose a prosthesis. We also evaluated the factors associated with non-adherence to EBP among women who had undergone mastectomy without BR. The chi-square test was used to assess adherence or non-adherence to EBP, while logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with non-adherence. Results: We introduced a low-cost, lightweight, washable EBP model. When participants were asked to choose between two prostheses, the silicone prosthesis was the first choice for 33.9% of the participants, while the prosthesis created for the study emerged as the second choice for 70.5%. Out of the 72 women assessed, 45.8% (33) opted not to use any of the EBP models. Our analysis revealed that age and BMI were significantly associated with non-use of EBP. Conclusion: Multiple barriers contribute to non-adherence to EBP, underscoring the need for interventions aimed at improving patient knowledge and adherence. This study introduces a lightweight, easily reproducible, and low-cost EBP model.

Breast Prosthesis Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Management Algorithm.

The cosmetic use of devices like prostheses to increase breast volume is nothing new. It is calculated that millions of people have been exposed to silicone in several ways, including breast implants, and since 1964 there has been uncertainty regarding their safety. We did not find in the literature any studies that reported the appearance of a specific immunological disease in patients with silicone breast implants. Furthermore, there are also neither case-control studies nor reports of patients proving that symptoms of autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) occurred after the placement of silicone implants nor that the patients had pre-existing symptoms. Several studies link silicone to allergic reactions and the development of systemic autoimmune diseases; however, other studies deny this association. There are currently several theories about the effect of silicone on the body. One theory with greater acceptance proposes an adjuvant effect of silicone on the development of autoimmune diseases in genetically predisposed patients. However, the variety of symptoms occurring in patients who develop these pathologies leads to doubts about the relationship between the adjuvant effects of a silicone prosthesis may have with a specific autoimmune disease or a mix of these diseases. The lack of consensus on this topic obliges a full review of what has already been reported in the literature to integrate the knowledge and propose a focus for new research on this matter. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Cambios en la calidad de vida en mujeres sometidas a aumento mamario: resultados preliminares de un estudio de cohortes / Changes in quality of life in women subjected to augmentation mammoplasty: preliminary results of a cohort study

Objetivo Determinar los cambios en calidad de vida en mujeres sometidas a mamoplastia de aumento o mastopexia con prótesis, usando el instrumento validado Breast-Q®. Materiales y métodos Estudio de cohortes prospectivo. Se incluyeron todas las pacientes operadas de mamoplastia de aumento o mastopexia de aumento en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile entre octubre de 2013 y mayo de 2014. La calidad de vida (CdV) se midió con el instrumento validado Breast-Q®. Se realizó estadística descriptiva y analítica para evaluar el cambio global en CdV y por dominios considerando estadísticamente significativo un valor p < 0,05. Resultados En el periodo estudiado se operaron 58 pacientes, 33 (56,9%) completaron el instrumento Breast-Q® en el preoperatorio y 25 (75,7%) de ellas en el postoperatorio. La CdV subió de un 49,7% a un 82,5% (p < 0,001); analizando por dominio hubo mejoría en autoestima (52% a 88%, p < 0,001), autoimagen (22% a 80%, p < 0,001) y vida sexual (31% a 86%, p < 0,001). Los síntomas físicos empeoraron desde un 94% a 75% (p < 0,001). Conclusiones El aumento mamario mejora la CdV, específicamente la autoestima, la autoimagen y la vida sexual, pero las molestias físicas aumentan. La satisfacción global fue alta.

Objective To determine the changes in the quality of life of women subjected to augmentation mammoplasty or a prosthesis mastopexy, using the validated tool Breast-Q®. Materials and methods A prospective cohorts study was conducted that included operated on for augmentation mammoplasty or augmentation mastopexy in the Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile (HCUCH) between October 2013 and May 2014. The quality of life (QoL) was measured using the Breast-Q® validated tool. Descriptive and analytic statistics were performed to evaluate the overall change in QoL and by domains, considering a p<.05 as statistically significant. Results A total of 58 patients were operated on, of whom 33 (56.9%) completed the Breast-Q® questionnaire before surgery, and 25 (75.7%) of them in the post-operative period. The quality of life increased from 49.7% to 82.5% (p<.001). When analysed by domain, there was an improvement in Self-esteem (52% to 88%, p<.001), Self-image (22% to 80%, p<.001) and Sex Life (31% to 86%, p<.001). The physical symptoms increased from 75% to 94% (p<.001). Conclusions Breast augmentation improves the quality of life, in particular, self-esteem, self-image, and sex life, but physical discomforts increased. The overall satisfaction was high.