Evaluating Outcomes of Immediate Breast Reconstruction (POBRAD-M)

Overview

Some women with breast cancer have their whole breast removed as part of their treatment (mastectomy). Of these women, around 31% have more surgery to create a new breast.There are two main ways to create a new breast(i)using tissue from elsewhere on the body ("autologous" reconstruction )or (ii)using a silicone implant. In recent years, it has been reported that by using a material called an "acellular dermal matrix" (ADM) the results of breast reconstruction surgery using an implant can be improved. ADMs are materials which originally come from animal or human skin. They act like a sling, supporting the lower part of an implant beneath the skin. Although ADMs have been approved for used in breast reconstruction and are safe, there is very little high quality evidence to back up their reported benefits, and some studies have suggested their use may in fact increase complications. The main purpose of this study is to find out what the actual risks and benefits of using an ADM in breast reconstruction surgery are. The investigators will follow the progress of women who have an implant based reconstruction to observe if participants develop problems; what those problems are and how participants feel about the results of their surgery. The investigators also follow the progress of women who undergo autologous reconstruction or alternative reconstructive techniques using an implant for the same reasons.

Despite the widespread adoption of acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) in breast reconstruction, there is limited prospective or high quality evidence on the outcomes of their use. The majority of studies on ADM are poor quality retrospective cohort studies with ill-defined, non-standardised outcome measures and heterogeneous patient populations. Recent systematic reviews have raised concerns of increased infection and seroma rates associated with ADM use which, if correct, may negate their reported advantages. Furthermore there is little high quality evidence to confirm the benefits associated with their use such as improved aesthetic outcomes. The POBRAD-M is a prospective, multicentre trial which will evaluate the early and late outcomes of immediate breast reconstruction using either an implant and ADM, autologous tissue or an alternative implant-based technique. All participants must have been deemed suitable at the outset for implant based reconstruction with an ADM irrespective of their final procedure choice. All participants will be followed up at 30 days, 3 months and 12 months to record the incidence of complications (to include implant loss, infection, seroma, haematoma and skin necrosis). Additionally Patient Reported Outcomes measures using the BREAST-Q questionnaire will be determined at 30 days and 12 months, and aesthetic outcome will be determined by panel assessment of post-operative photographs at 12 months post-operatively.