Current Concepts and Emerging Technologies in Aesthetic Outcome Assessment of Breast Reconstruction.
Aesthet Surg JSep 16, 2026
Clinical ResearchPlastic Surgery
Deyu Lyu, Felix H Vollbach, Irene Mesas Aranda et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated aesthetic outcome assessment methods in breast reconstruction, analyzing 51 studies with 7711 participants. It highlighted a predominance of subjective tools, particularly the BREAST-Q, while noting the use of objective methods like 3D imaging. The review emphasizes a shift towards multimodal evaluation to better capture aesthetic outcomes.
Key findings
- Subjective tools were used in 69% of studies, primarily the BREAST-Q.
- Objective assessment methods were applied in 19 studies, including 3D imaging in 16%.
- No single assessment modality comprehensively addressed all aesthetic domains.
- A progressive shift towards integrating subjective and objective methods was observed.
Why it matters
Understanding the evolution of aesthetic outcome assessment in breast reconstruction is essential for clinicians to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. Incorporating both subjective and objective measures can enhance the evaluation of surgical results.