Can the cost affect the choice of various methods of postmastectomy breast reconstruction?
AIM AND BACKGROUND: A wide range of methodologies for breast reconstruction is now available. For immediate breast reconstruction we prefer to use implants, whereas reconstruction using autologous tissues, such as transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps (TRAMF) and muscular latissimus dorsi flaps, is applied only in selected cases. In contrast, for delayed reconstruction the choice between prostheses and autologous tissue depends on various conditions. The different reconstructive methods can be adopted as a single procedure or as a combination of surgical procedures. Following the issue of legislation defining the new structure of the Italian Health Service, the need to accurately assess the costs incurred for the execution of surgical operations has taken on paramount importance. The aim of the study was to evaluate not only the clinical limits of each surgical technique, but also its cost, in order to optimize the choice of the same procedures, conditions being equal. MET
