Table 2.
Demographics of participating units.
| Unit characteristic | N = 79 |
|---|---|
| Types of breast reconstruction offered | |
| Implant-based reconstruction | 79 (100) |
| Pedicled flaps | |
| Latissimus dorsi | 76 (96) |
| Pedicled TRAM | 31 (39) |
| Free flaps | |
| DIEP | 34 (43) |
| Other autologous (e.g SGAP, IGAP, TUG, SIEA) | 24 (30) |
| Therapeutic mammoplasty | 75 (95) |
| Revisional surgery | 77 (97) |
| Number of staff performing breast and reconstructive surgery | |
| Breast surgery | |
| Number of consultant surgeons with an interest in breast surgery (FTE, median, IQR, range) | 3.0 |
| (2.0–3.8) | |
| (0.0–7.0) | |
| Number of consultant breast surgeons who perform reconstructive surgery (FTE, median, IQR, range) | 2.5 |
| (2.0–3.0) | |
| (0.0–7.0) | |
| Plastic surgery | |
| Number of consultant plastic surgeons with an interest in breast surgery (FTE, median, IQR, range) | 1.0 |
| (0–3.0) | |
| (0.0–21.0) | |
| Number of consultant plastic surgeons who perform reconstructive surgery (FTE, median, IQR, range) | 2.0 |
| (1.0–3.0) | |
| (0.0–10.0) | |
| Number of immediate implant-based breast reconstructions performed per year (median, IQR, range) | 35 (20–50) |
| (0–230) | |
| Percentage of immediate breast reconstructions that are implant-based (median, IQR, range) | 70.0 (50.0–80.0) |
| (0.0–100.0) | |
| Approaches to implant-based reconstruction offered | |
| Standard 2 stage submuscular placement | 60 (75.9) |
| Reduction pattern with dermal sling | 66 (83.5) |
| Acellular dermal matrix assisted reconstruction | 59 (74.7) |
| Other non-dermal biological-assisted reconstruction | 19 (24.1) |
| TiLOOP assisted reconstruction | 19 (24.1) |
| Other synthetic assisted reconstruction | 8 (10.1) |
DIEP – deep inferior epigastric perforator; FTE – full time equivalent; IQR – interquartile range; TRAM – transverse rectus abdominis myocutaenous flap.