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CC BY 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1811167
Original Article

Aligning Patient and Surgeon Aesthetic Priorities in Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Authors

  • Belén Andresen-Lorca 

    1   Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain

  • Iván Heredia-Alcalde

    1   Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain

  • Pedro Alvedro-Ruiz 

    1   Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain

  • María García-García

    1   Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain

  • Ana Trapero 

    2   Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, San Carlos Clinic Hospital, Madrid, Spain

  • María D Pérez-del-Caz

    1   Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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Abstract

Background

Currently, there is no published evidence on the aesthetic and functional aspirations of women undergoing autologous breast reconstruction. Recognizing that not all surgical goals can always be achieved, we aimed to develop a priority scale based on patient preferences to guide intraoperative decision-making.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey targeting patients, plastic surgery specialists, and trainees. Participants ranked 10 aesthetic and functional aspects of breast reconstruction (volume, shape, symmetry, sensitivity, texture, scarring on the breast and abdomen, umbilicus appearance, nipple–areola complex reconstruction, and similarity to the original breast). Responses were analyzed using nonparametric statistical methods, using SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics, IBM Corp., New York, United States.).

Results

A total of 109 responses were collected (56 patients, 26 specialists, 27 trainees). Symmetry emerged as the top priority across all groups. Patients assigned higher importance than surgeons to sensitivity (6.77 vs. 4.38–4.50), nipple–areola complex reconstruction (8.18 vs. 7.72–7.78), and similarity to the original breast (6.55 vs. 4.63–4.89). Experienced surgeons valued breast texture more highly than less-experienced surgeons (8.67 vs. 6.70).

Conclusion

While symmetry is universally prioritized, patients place greater value on functional aspects like breast sensitivity. These insights highlight the importance of personalized preoperative counseling to align surgical planning with patient expectations.

Keywords

breast reconstruction - autologous breast reconstruction - abdominally based breast reconstruction

Supplementary Material



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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
01. Oktober 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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