WORLD JOURNAL OF PLASTIC SURGERY
Sat, Aug 22, 2026
[Archive]
1- Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Science Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine & Plastic and Microreconstructive Surgeon at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center , Hossein.Masoomi@kp.org
2- Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Science Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
2- Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Science Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
Abstract: (15 Views)
Background: Understanding the relationship between age and perioperative outcomes in free flap-based breast reconstruction, is critical. We aimed to evaluate the older age as an independent risk factor for perioperative complications following free flap-based breast reconstruction surgery.
Methods: This retrospective study utilized data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2016 to 2022. The study included breast cancer patients who underwent free flap breast reconstruction surgery, divided into two groups: those aged ≤65 years and those aged >65 years.
Results: The study sample comprised 15,364 patients, with 1,447 (9.4%) aged >65 years. The overall complication rate was 14.1% for patients >65 years compared to 12.4% for patients ≤65 years, though this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.068). Similarly, there was no significant difference in unplanned return back to the operating room (OR: 10.7% vs. 11.3%; P=0.068) and unplanned readmission rate (6.5% vs. 5.5%; P=0.530) in patients>65 years old compared with patient<65 years old. Additionally, multivariate regression analyses showed that age >65 was not an independent risk factor for overall complication rate (adjusted odd’s ratio [AOR] 1.10), unplanned return to OR (AOR 0.92), and readmission (AOR 1.14).
Conclusion: Elderly patients who underwent free flap breast reconstruction had comparable perioperative outcomes with the younger patients. The decision to proceed with this surgery should be based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient's overall health status rather than age alone. Free-flap breast reconstruction should be considered in patients at any age as long as other indications for surgery are met.
Methods: This retrospective study utilized data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2016 to 2022. The study included breast cancer patients who underwent free flap breast reconstruction surgery, divided into two groups: those aged ≤65 years and those aged >65 years.
Results: The study sample comprised 15,364 patients, with 1,447 (9.4%) aged >65 years. The overall complication rate was 14.1% for patients >65 years compared to 12.4% for patients ≤65 years, though this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.068). Similarly, there was no significant difference in unplanned return back to the operating room (OR: 10.7% vs. 11.3%; P=0.068) and unplanned readmission rate (6.5% vs. 5.5%; P=0.530) in patients>65 years old compared with patient<65 years old. Additionally, multivariate regression analyses showed that age >65 was not an independent risk factor for overall complication rate (adjusted odd’s ratio [AOR] 1.10), unplanned return to OR (AOR 0.92), and readmission (AOR 1.14).
Conclusion: Elderly patients who underwent free flap breast reconstruction had comparable perioperative outcomes with the younger patients. The decision to proceed with this surgery should be based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient's overall health status rather than age alone. Free-flap breast reconstruction should be considered in patients at any age as long as other indications for surgery are met.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Special
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
