Immediate versus delayed free-flap breast reconstruction: Higher readmission after immediate reconstruction in a 20,415-patient IPTW NSQIP cohort

Journal of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: Georgios Karamitros, Armin Catic, Franklin Gergoudis, Carrie A. Kubiak, Wesley P. Thayer, Sebastiano Barbieri, Louisa Jorm, William C. Lineaweaver, Galen Perdikis, Gregory A. Lamaris
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2026.05.066
Cited by: 1
References: 35

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The timing of microsurgical breast reconstruction remains a central question in oncologic care. Immediate reconstruction offers psychological and esthetic advantages; however, concerns persist that it may increase short-term morbidity. Prior studies have been limited by selection bias and inconsistent risk adjustment, leaving the comparative safety of immediate versus delayed reconstruction unresolved at a national level. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult women undergoing free-flap breast reconstruction (CPT 19364) in the ACS-NSQIP registry (2012-2022). Covariate balance between immediate and delayed cohorts was achieved using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) with prespecified standardized mean difference thresholds

Fields of Study & Subjects

Reconstructive Surgery and Microvascular Techniques Breast Implant and Reconstruction Breast Cancer Treatment Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
119
Pages
128–138
Publication date
8 June 2026
Language
EN