Quality of life after surgical treatment of primary breast asymmetry <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the impact of surgical treatment for primary breast asymmetry on the quality of life. Methods: The “Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey” (SF-36), a generic health evaluation tool, which evaluates quality of life across eight domains (physical functioning, physical aspects, pain, health perception, vitality, social functioning, emotional aspects and mental health), was applied preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 and 6 months. Results: There was progressive, statistically significant improvement in four domains of the SF-36. The differences were significant on emotional role at 3 months postoperatively, and on pain, vitality, and mental health at 6 months postoperatively. Conclusions: The surgical treatment for breast asymmetry provided improvement of the patients’ quality of life. KEY WORDS: BREAST ASYMMETRY; MAMMAPLASTY; HEALTH; PSYCHOLOGY; QUALITY OF LIFE.