Arch Aesthetic Plast Surg.  2023 Oct;29(4):201-206. 10.14730/aaps.2023.00899.

Does the dominant hand’s use affect the complication rates in prosthetic breast reconstruction?

• Jeong SH
• Hwang E
• Ha HJ
• Kim TH
• Kim DY
• Kim CH
• Kim SW
• Ahn HC

• KMID: 2547311
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14730/aaps.2023.00899

Abstract

Background
Numerous studies have investigated risk factors for unfavorable outcomes in prosthetic breast reconstruction, such as obesity, perioperative radiotherapy, and acellular dermal matrix use. However, no reports have explored whether the use of the dominant hand influences complications in breast reconstruction. To address this gap in the literature, analyzed complication rates between the dominant and non-dominant sides after reconstruction.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 160 patients (170 breasts) who underwent breast reconstruction from February 2017 to March 2022. We analyzed the complications between beasts on the dominant and non-dominant sides according to the reconstruction method.
Results
During prosthetic breast reconstruction, the drainage volume and duration on the dominant side exceeded those on the non-dominant side after reconstruction (duration: 9.79 days on the dominant side vs. 9.12 days on the non-dominant side, P=0.196; volume: 771.1 mL on the dominant side vs. 654.3 mL on the non-dominant side, P=0.027). The incidence of complications such as wound dehiscence, mastectomy flap necrosis, and infection was significantly higher in the dominant hand group (infection: 6 vs. 0, P=0.014; dehiscence: 15 vs. 4, P=0.009; flap necrosis: 13 vs. 4, P=0.024).
Conclusions
Complications including seroma, infection, and mastectomy skin flap necrosis following prosthetic reconstruction were common in breasts on the dominant-hand side. Therefore, meticulous management and restriction of shoulder movement can aid in preventing seroma-related complications in prosthetic breast reconstruction, especially on the side of the dominant hand.

Keyword

Breast implants / Complications / Motion