Objective. To assess the risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative complications after one-stage or two-stage breast reconstruction for cancer.

Material and methods. There were 92 women with various forms of breast cancer. All patients underwent subcutaneous/skin-sparing mastectomy, breast reconstruction with implants and radiotherapy. In the study group (n=42), the first stage included breast reconstruction with implant. In the control group (n=50), skin-sparing mastectomy was accompanied by breast reconstruction with expander and its subsequent replacement by implant after radiotherapy. We analyzed anthropometric and anamnestic data of patients, comorbidities, morphological typing of tumor, treatment and complications.

Results. Postoperative morbidity rate was 28.6% and 32%, respectively. There were no significant between-group differences in the incidence of complications.

Conclusion. One-stage breast reconstruction with implant in patients undergoing radiotherapy does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications. Therefore, it is a more preferable treatment strategy.

Keywords. breast cancer, one-stage breast reconstruction, postoperative complications, risk factors