Systematic Review of Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Initiatives in Breast Reconstruction

Background Improving patient care and safety requires high-quality evidence. The objective of this study was to systematically review the existing evidence for patient safety (PS) and quality improvement initiatives in breast reconstruction. Methods A systematic review of the published plastic surgery literature was undertaken using a computerized search and following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Publication descriptors, methodological details, and results were extracted. Articles were assessed for methodological quality and clinical heterogeneity. Descriptive statistics were completed, and a meta-analysis was considered. Results Forty-six studies were included. Most studies were retrospective (52.2%) and from the third level of evidence (60.9%). Overall, the scientific quality was moderate, with randomized controlled trials generally being higher quality. Studies investigating approaches to reduce seroma (28.3% of included articles) suggested a potential benefit of quilting sutures. Studies focusing on infection (26.1%) demonstrated potential benefits to prophylactic antibiotics and drain use under 21 days. Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols (10.9%) overall did not compromise PS and was beneficial in reducing opioid use and length of stay. Interventions to increase flap survival (10.9%) demonstrated a potential benefit of nitroglycerin on mastectomy skin flaps. Conclusions Overall, studies were of moderate quality and investigated several worthwhile interventions. More validated, standardized outcome measures are required, and studies focusing on interventions to reduce thromboembolic events and bleeding risk could further improve PS.