A comparison of the cosmetic and psychological outcome of breast reconstruction, breast conserving surgery and mastectomy without reconstruction

Method The cosmetic and psychological outcomes of patients who underwent reconstructive surgery, conservative surgery or simple mastectomy for breast cancer between 1995 and 2002 were compared. Results There was a significant correlation between good psychological adjustment and good cosmetic outcome scores (p=0.01–0.05). There was no difference in cosmetic outcome between different reconstruction methods. Reconstruction patients rated their cosmetic outcome better than conservative surgery patients, and conservative surgery patients better than mastectomy patients. There were no differences in psychological outcome between patient groups. Conclusion Good perception of cosmetic outcome is associated with good psychological adjustment. There is no cosmetic advantage of one type of reconstruction over another. Reconstruction patients have a better body image compared with other treatment groups but there are no other psychological advantages of one type of treatment over another.