Background/aim:

The purpose was to analyze the impact of post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) on implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) in self-identified Hispanic patients compared to non-Hispanic counterparts.

Patients and methods:

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent IBR between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019 at a single hospital system. Patients were cisgender women, assigned female at birth, 18 years or older, and underwent mastectomy with immediate IBR +/- PMRT. We compared characteristics between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients, assessing capsular contracture and implant loss rates. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify factors associated with complications.

Results:

A total of 317 patients underwent mastectomy and reconstruction. Of these patients, 302 underwent a total of 467 mastectomies with IBR, and these 467 procedures were included in the analysis of complications. Complications occurred in 175 breasts (37.5%), regardless of PMRT. Seventy-two of the 302 patients (24%) received PMRT to one breast. The overall rates of capsular contracture, implant loss, and overall complications did not vary significantly between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients (p=0.866, 0.974, and 0.761, respectively). When comparing only irradiated patients, there was a trend towards increased implant loss and overall complication rates in Hispanic versus non-Hispanic patients (p=0.107 and 0.113, respectively). Following PMRT the rate of any complication was 71% in Hispanic women and 53% in non-Hispanic women.

Conclusion:

Our study illuminates a trend towards higher complication rates after PMRT in Hispanic versus non-Hispanic patients. Further studies are needed to understand why Hispanic patients may have more side effects from radiation therapy.