Impact of delayed implant and DIEP flap breast reconstruction on body image and sexual satisfaction: a prospective follow-up study

Objective Prospective studies regarding the psychosexual impact after different types of breast reconstruction (BR) are scarce. The impact of either implant or deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap BR on body image and sexual relationship satisfaction was investigated in time. Methods At baseline, 98 women opting for delayed implant or DIEP flap BR after mastectomy for breast cancer completed a survey. The majority was followed up at 6 months (96%) and 20 months (86%) postoperatively. Questionnaires included the body image scale, Dutch Relationship Questionnaire, Short Form – 36 Health Survey and the Impact of Event Scale. Results Mixed modeling analyses indicated that preoperative body image improved significantly after 20 months (p