Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer type in women. The prevalence is highest in women over 60 years. Breast reconstruction is a an essential part of cancer treatment and follows mastectomy. It reestablishes body symmetry and improves psychological well being. Breast reconstruction can be performed simultaneously or following mastectomy, and is based either on implants on autologous tissue transplant. The method type is carefully chosen. Materials and methods: The chosen 196 patients were operated at Ulleval University Hospital in the period 2003-11 with the DIEP-method. We wished to retrospectively map the rate of complications based on patients age and BMI. Complications related to donor and recipient were included. There was no calculation of statistical significance. Results: 219 breast reconstructions were performed on 196 patients, 23 bilateral and 173 unilateral. The group under 60 years consisted of 177 patients, 19 over 60 years. The youngest patient was 25, the oldest 71. BMI ranged from 20 to 33. Included total combination of complications was 44% in the <60 group and 52% in >60. Conclusion: This review showed that the majority of patients reconstructed were under 60 years old. In the majority of patients the BMI was not noted. We suggest (according to international studies) that age alone shouldn't influence selection of patients to the DIEP-procedure. The patients health status should be assessed in detail to estimate risk related to medical complications. Furthermore focus on peripheral circulation (eg. smoking, diabetes, hypertension, obesity) is essential.