EPICUTANEOUS BREAST FORMS AFTER MASTECTOM Y

Introduction: Restoration of body symmetry is a very important aspect after mastectomy to help patients coping with daily life. There are ba sically two possibilities for patients who do not wish breast reconstr uction: either using breast forms that are suspended in a brassiere or a new system in which the breast form is attached on an adhesive stri p to the thorax wall. With burr crushers the breast form is attached t o the strip. Brassieres are not necessarily needed. The influence of i mproved prosthetics on the patients' self-concept and well-being was i nvestigated. Materials and Method: 67 patients in postoperative care a t the Universitatsfrauenklinik Giessen were randomized in control grou p using customary breast forms and the study group changing to self ad hesive breast forms. Using the ''Frankfurter Selbstkonzeptionsskalen'' (Frankfurt Self-Concept Scales), plus additional questions concerning problems after mastectomy, self-concept was assessed before study and after 3 months. Results: Significant differences with regard to the s cale ''Social Contact and Relations'' (FSKU) were seen. Most patients were better satisfied with epicutaneous self-adhesive breast forms. We ight and movement behaviour of the self-adhesive breast form was consi dered natural and almost like a part of the body by 92%. 80% considere d adhesive strips to be well tolerable. Thoughts about operative breas t reconstruction became less important for 62%. 78% were happy to be a ble to wear more fashionable clothing. Conclusion: The new concept of self-adhesive breast forms is an improvement with respect to social an d psychological rehabilitation.