Comparison of Postoperative Breast Sensation between Different Flap Types for Innervated Autologous Breast Reconstruction

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. Over the last decades, the
focus of reconstruction after breast cancer has primarily been on aesthetics,
but is shifting more and more towards other aspects of the reconstruction as
well, such as breast sensation. Increase in postoperative breast sensation,
which is known to increase quality of life, can be established by adding nerve
coaptation to autologous reconstruction. Various studies regarding innervated
reconstructions and breast sensation have been published, but often focus on
one or two types of flaps. In this study, we will therefore compare sensation
between different types of autologous breast sensation.

Primarily, we will evaluate and compare postoperative sensation between
different sensate autologous breast reconstructions. Secondarily, we will
evaluate and compare quality of life measured by the validated BREAST-Q
questionnaire between the different reconstructions.

A cross-sectional, explorative study performed in the Maastricht University
Medical Centre (MUMC+). Breast sensation will be measured with three
modalities: the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments (SWM), the pressure specified
sensory device (PSSD), and the quantitative sensory testing (QST). We will
correct for several covariates with the statistical analysis, among which is
postoperative time.

Participation is voluntarily. Participants can withdraw at any time during the
study without further consequences. The measurement will take place at the
outpatient clinic and duration will be approximately 60-90 minutes. The methods
do not harm the participant and are not painful. There are no risks or
complications associated or reported with these measurement techniques.