Abstract

Background Implant-based breast reconstruction is one of the most common procedures among women 
with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy.

Prosthetic devices may be positioned either beneath or above the pectoralis major muscle, which is considered an accessory muscle of ven- tilation.

This preliminary prospective study aimed to investigate whether subpectoral unilateral implant-based 
breast reconstruction has any effect on patients’ pulmonary functions.


Methods A prospective study of fourteen women who underwent immediate unilateral implant-based 
subpectoral breast reconstruction by a single surgeon over 10 months was conducted.


Spirometry and maximal voluntary venti- lation tests were conducted 1 day prior to surgery, and 1- and 3 months 
following breast reconstruction.

ANOVA or Friedman test were used to compare pulmonary function tests before and after surgery.