Amin Kalaaji, Cecelie Bjertness, Cathrine Nordahl and Kjell Olafsen, Oslo Plastic Surgery Clinic, Oslo, Norway
Goals / Purpose:
Results from surgical interventions are traditionally based on morbidity and mortality. However, quality of life among women who operated with breast implant is a growing research area with recent alarming data on relationship with psychological disorder in this group of patients. Therefore, relation to depression; effect on daily activity and work; and overall results evaluated anonymously by women themselves are aspects of great interest to investigate. We wanted to investigate quality of life in women who underwent breast enlargement with implant. The study was designed to eliminate bias through guaranteed anonymity for consecutive patients, no industrial sponsorship to the study, and use of a balanced scale to answer alternatives between dissatisfaction and satisfaction.
Conclusion:
In contrast to recent studies showing psychological disorder in these patients, depression rate in our study was lower than given range in general population in Norway where depression rate ranges from 7-17. The stereotype of the breast enlargement patient has not been proven in our patients, as most of them had a relationship and even children before they underwent surgery. Breast enlargement raises motivation to do daily activities, and to a lesser degree on work activity. Furthermore, the procedure enhanced quality of life in both cosmetic and social aspects. However, an important challenge for the surgeon is the relatively high rate of dissatisfaction with sensitivity in skin on the breasts after surgery. Furthermore, multi-center studies are needed to specify better depression rate and its outcome after surgery.
