[Breast reconstruction for patients with breast carcinoma : an analysis based on the data of 4,335 patients from 16 hospitals].

BACKGROUND: [corrected] The rate of breast reconstructions after mastectomy because of breast carcinoma has not been thoroughly studied, based on a representatively large data pool. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 4,335 patients with breast carcinoma from 16 hospitals together with the German Breast Center (Westdeutsches Brustcentrum). RESULTS: Of the studied patients, 34% (1,488 of 4,335) had mastectomies. Breast reconstruction was performed in 13% (197) of those with mastectomy. None of the 197 with breast reconstruction was operated on by a plastic surgeon or had a microsurgical reconstructive procedure (free flap). CONCLUSION: The aim of this study is to increase the number of breast reconstructions after mastectomy, including microsurgical procedures, and to improve cooperation between gynecologists and plastic surgeons.