The Rates of Postmastectomy Immediate Breast Reconstruction during the Initial Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Publication/Presentation Date

8-1-2023

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-related changes may have led to changes in immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) rates. We aimed to evaluate these changes before, during, and after the initial wave of COVID-19.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed women who underwent mastectomy with or without IBR from January 1 to September 30, 2019 and from January 1 to September 30, 2020, and compared demographic, clinical, and surgical variables between defined time periods.

RESULTS: A total of 202 mastectomies were included. Fewer patients underwent IBR during the initial surge of COVID-19 (surge period) compared with the months before (presurge period; 38.46% versus 70.97%,

CONCLUSIONS: IBR rates were lower even after the initial surge than at the year before. Furthermore, during the pandemic, IBR patients were older, had fewer follow-up visits, and fewer reported complications.

Volume

11

Issue

8

First Page

5193

Last Page

5193

ISSN

2169-7574

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

37593700

Department(s)

Department of Surgery, Department of Surgery Faculty, Department of Surgery Residents, USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Faculty, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Students

Document Type

Article

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