Impact of implant-based breast reconstruction on bra fit

Figures & data

Figure 1. (A) Anatomical landmarks used for bra fitting. (B) Anatomical fiducial points used in the clinical bra measurements. MPP: most projecting point; TP: transition point; MC: mid-clavicle; SN: sternal notch; MP: medial point; M: midline; IMF: inframammary fold; LP: lateral point.

Four photographs of an unclothed female torso from different views with anatomical landmarks used for bra fitting and clinical fiducial points marked and labelled.

Figure 2. The front neck point to bust point measurement (sternal notch to most projecting point) significantly decreased in the reconstructed breast after unilateral implant-based reconstruction (p < 0.001). (A) Boxplot of the front neck point to bust point measurement at baseline and post-reconstruction (median and interquartile range). (B) The front neck point to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient at baseline. (C) The front neck point to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Front neck point to bust point: straight line distance from the sternal notch to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline measurement is significantly larger than the post-reconstruction measurement, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing unilateral reconstruction, with the front neck point to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 3. The front point of breast base to bust point measurement (medial point to most projecting point) significantly decreased in the reconstructed breast after unilateral implant-based reconstruction (p = 0.02). (A) Boxplot of the front point of breast base to bust point measurement at baseline and post-reconstruction (median and interquartile range). (B) The front point of breast base to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient at baseline. (C) The front point of breast base to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Front point of breast base to bust point: surface path distance from the medial point to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline measurement is significantly larger than the post-reconstruction measurement, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing unilateral reconstruction, with the front point of breast base to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 4. The centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement (midline to most projecting point) significantly decreased in the reconstructed breast after unilateral implant-based reconstruction (p = 0.03). (A) Boxplot of the centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement at baseline and post-reconstruction (median and interquartile range). (B) The centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient at baseline. (C) The centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Center front point on the bust line to bust point: surface path distance from the midline to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline measurement is significantly larger than the post-reconstruction measurement, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing unilateral reconstruction, with the centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 5. The mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement (mid-clavicle to transition point) significantly decreased in the reconstructed breast after unilateral implant-based reconstruction (p < 0.001). (A) Boxplot of the mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement at baseline and post-reconstruction (median and interquartile range). (B) The mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement on an exemplar patient at baseline. (C) The mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base: surface path distance from the mid-clavicle to transition point’, a box plot that shows the baseline measurement is significantly larger than the post-reconstruction measurement, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing unilateral reconstruction, with the mid-shoulder to top point of breast base measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 6. The front neck point to bust point symmetry significantly decreased (became more asymmetrical) for the participants who underwent unilateral implant-based reconstruction (p < 0.001). (A) Boxplot of symmetry at baseline and post-reconstruction (median and interquartile range). (B) The front neck point to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient. (C) The front neck point to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Front neck point to bust point symmetry: ratio of shorter to longer straight line distance from the sternal notch to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline symmetry is significantly higher than the post-reconstruction symmetry, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing unilateral reconstruction, with the front neck point to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 7. The front point of breast base to bust point symmetry significantly decreased (became more asymmetrical) for the participants who underwent unilateral implant-based reconstruction (p < 0.001). (A) Boxplot of symmetry at baseline and post-reconstruction (median and interquartile range). (B) The front point of breast base to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient. (C) The front point of breast base to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Front point of breast base to bust point symmetry: ratio of shorter to longer surface path distance from the medial point to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline symmetry is significantly higher than post-reconstruction symmetry, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing unilateral reconstruction, with the front point of breast base to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 8. The side point of breast base to bust point symmetry significantly decreased (became more asymmetrical) for the participants who underwent unilateral implant-based reconstruction (p < 0.001). (A) Boxplot of symmetry at baseline and post-reconstruction (median and interquartile range). (B) The side point of breast base to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient. (C) The side point of breast base to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Side point of breast base to bust point symmetry: ratio of shorter to longer surface path distance from the lateral point to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline symmetry is significantly higher than post-reconstruction symmetry, and two oblique-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing unilateral reconstruction, with the side point of breast base to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 9. The centre front point on the bust line to bust point symmetry significantly decreased (became more asymmetrical) for the participants who underwent unilateral implant-based reconstruction (p = 0.01). (A) Boxplot of symmetry at baseline and post-reconstruction (median and interquartile range). (B) The centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient. (C) The centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Center front point on the bust line to bust point symmetry: ratio of shorter to longer surface path distance from the midline to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline symmetry is significantly higher than post-reconstruction symmetry, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing unilateral reconstruction, with the centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 10. The mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base symmetry significantly decreased (became more asymmetrical) for the participants who underwent unilateral implant-based reconstruction (p = 0.002). (A) Boxplot of symmetry at baseline and post-reconstruction (median and interquartile range). (B) The mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement on an exemplar patient. (C) The mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base symmetry: ratio of shorter to longer surface path distance from the mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base’, a box plot that shows the baseline symmetry is significantly higher than post-reconstruction symmetry, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing unilateral reconstruction, with the mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 11. The front neck point to bust point measurement (sternal notch to most projecting point) for the participants who underwent bilateral implant-based reconstruction significantly decreased in the reconstructed breast after implant-based reconstruction (right breast: p < 0.001, left breast: p < 0.001). (A) Boxplot (median and interquartile range) of the front neck point to bust point measurement at baseline and post-reconstruction for the right breast (left was similar). (B) The front neck point to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient at baseline. (C) The front neck point to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Front neck point to bust point: straight line distance from the sternal notch to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline measurement is significantly larger than the post-reconstruction measurement, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing bilateral reconstruction, with the front neck point to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 12. The bust point distance measurement (most projecting point to most projecting point) for the participants who underwent bilateral implant-based reconstruction significantly decreased after implant-based reconstruction (p = 0.003). (A) Boxplot of the bust point distance measurement at baseline and post-reconstruction (median and interquartile range). (B) The bust point distance measurement on an exemplar patient at baseline. (C) The bust point distance measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Bust point distance: straight line distance from the most projecting point to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline measurement is significantly larger than the post-reconstruction measurement, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing bilateral reconstruction, with the bust point distance measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 13. The front point of breast base to bust point measurement (medial point to most projecting point) for the participants who underwent bilateral implant-based reconstruction significantly decreased after implant-based reconstruction (right breast: p < 0.001, left breast: p < 0.001). (A) Boxplot (median and interquartile range) of the front point of breast base to bust point measurement at baseline and post-reconstruction for the right breast (left was similar). (B) The front point of breast base to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient at baseline. (C) The front point of breast base to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Front point of breast base to bust point: surface path distance from the medial point to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline measurement is significantly larger than the post-reconstruction measurement, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing bilateral reconstruction, with the front point of breast base to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 14. The under-bust point of breast base to bust point measurement (inframammary fold to most projecting point) for the participants who underwent bilateral implant-based reconstruction significantly increased after implant-based reconstruction (right breast: p = 0.03, left breast: p = 0.005). (A) Boxplot (median and interquartile range) of the under-bust point of breast base to bust point measurement at baseline and post-reconstruction for the right breast (left was similar). (B) The under-bust point of breast base to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient at baseline. (C) The under-bust point of breast base to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Under-bust point of breast base to bust point: surface path distance from the inframammary fold to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline measurement is significantly smaller than the post-reconstruction measurement, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing bilateral reconstruction, with the under-bust point of breast base to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 15. The centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement (midline to most projecting point) for the participants who underwent bilateral implant-based reconstruction significantly decreased after implant-based reconstruction (right breast: p = 0.002, left breast: p = 0.003). (A) Boxplot (median and interquartile range) of the centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement at baseline and post-reconstruction for the right breast (left was similar). (B) The centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient at baseline. (C) The centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Center front point on the bust line to bust point: surface path distance from the midline to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline measurement is significantly larger than the post-reconstruction measurement, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing bilateral reconstruction, with the centre front point on the bust line to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 16. The mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement (mid-clavicle to transition point) for the participants who underwent bilateral implant-based reconstruction significantly decreased after implant-based reconstruction (right breast: p < 0.001, left breast: p < 0.001). (A) Boxplot (median and interquartile range) of the mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement at baseline and post-reconstruction for the right breast (left was similar). (B) The mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement on an exemplar patient at baseline. (C) The mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base: surface path distance from the mid-clavicle to transition point’, a box plot that shows the baseline measurement is significantly larger than the post-reconstruction measurement, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing bilateral reconstruction, with the mid-shoulder point to top point of breast base measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 17. The front point of breast base to bust point symmetry significantly decreased (became more asymmetrical) for the participants who underwent bilateral implant-based reconstruction (p = 0.01). (A) Boxplot (median and interquartile range) of symmetry at baseline and post-reconstruction. (B) The front point of breast base to bust point measurement on an exemplar patient. (C) The front point of breast base to bust point measurement on the same patient post-reconstruction.

A text box with the words ‘Front point of breast base to bust point symmetry: ratio of shorter to longer surface path distance from the medial point to most projecting point’, a box plot that shows the baseline symmetry is significantly higher than post-reconstruction symmetry, and two front-view unclothed female torso photograph of a participant before and after undergoing bilateral reconstruction, with the front point of breast base to bust point measurement marked on the torso.

Figure 18. The semi-spherical shape of a bra cup for an implant-based reconstructed breast. The darts or the seams of the bra cup should be evenly distributed so that it will fit the semi-spherical shape of the implant-based reconstructed breast.

A line-drawing of a semi-sphere with additional lines along the surface to represent seams.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, MKM. The data are not publicly available due to their containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.