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Improving Patient Quality of Life by Reducing Breast Volume
Jennifer Rokosz, MD, Cristiane Ueno, MD
University of West Virginia
2018-02-15
Presenter: Jennifer Rokosz, MD
Affidavit:
I certify that at least 50% of the project has been completed by Jennifer Rokosz, MD. I certify that this project has not been submitted to any other plastic surgery meeting nor publication.
Director Name: Cristiane Ueno, MD
Author Category: Other Specialty Resident
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Breast (Aesthetic and Recon.)
Patient quality of life plays a large role in clinical practice. The BREAST-Q© is a validated questionnaire developed to analyze patient satisfaction and wellbeing with certain breast surgeries such as reduction mammoplasty [1]. West Virginians represent a unique population that struggles with poverty and obesity. The Appalachian Mountains makes access to medical care difficult and many trust folk medicine over modern medicine [2]. Most studies evaluating improvement in wellbeing after reduction mammoplasty are performed at institutions in large metropolitan cities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent of improvement in wellbeing after reduction mammoplasty performed at a tertiary care center in West Virginia. The BREAST-Q© questionnaire was given to 21 patients over age 18 from December 2015 to December 2017 before and after reduction mammoplasty. The survey data was entered into the BREAST-Q© spreadsheet and scores were generated with the QScore™ program. We used Wilcoxon paired test to analyze data. Results showed statistical significance at the 5% significance level for all parameters: satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial, sexual, and physical well-being. The greatest change from pre-op was seen in satisfaction with breasts. Despite their cultural differences, West Virginians have the same improvement in quality of life as other areas of the country.
1. Pusic AL, Klassen AF, Scott AM, Klok JA, Cordeiro PG, Cano SJ. Development of a new patient-reported outcome measure for breast surgery: the BREAST-Q. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2009 Aug;124(2):345-53.
2. Mary Butler Stone. "Appalachian Folk Medicine." West Virginia Historical Society Quarterly. Vol X No.4. http://home.wlu.edu/lubint/touchstone/ApplalachainFolkMed-Stone.htm
