Effect of Breast Reconstruction Modality on the Development of Postmastectomy Shoulder Morbidity

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of breast reconstruction modality on the incidence of shoulder morbidity.Methods: Breast cancer patients who underwent immediate reconstructions using three modalities including tissue expander-implant, latissimus dorsi (LD) pedicled flap, or deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap from 2008 to 2013 were analyzed. The cumulative incidence of shoulder morbidity was compared among the reconstruction modalities and risk factor analysis was performed using multivariable analysis.