[Certified breast centers in Germany : How much is plastic surgery involved?].

[INTRODUCTION] This study was designed to assess the degree of cooperation between plastic surgeons and gynecologists in certified breast centers in Germany. The rate of breast reconstruction after mastectomy remains low at 8-13%. In certified breast centers plastic surgeons are often not members of the team.

[METHODS] A total of 220 hospitals affiliated to the West German Breast Center (WBC) were contacted in 2007 and 80 breast centers and hospitals returned the questionnaire. This study is based on the data of approximately 24,000 patients.

[RESULTS] At the time of the investigation 60 out of the 80 hospitals (75%) were certified breast centers. Many different criteria have been applied for certified breast centers: the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, the DKG/DGS (German Cancer Society/German Society of Senology), EUSOMA and others. In 8 hospitals (10%) a plastic surgeon was part of the team in the breast center. Most breast centers (44 out of 80) function with 3-4 attending specialists for breast surgery.

[DISCUSSION] The cooperation between gynecologists and plastic surgeons within a breast center can be strengthened. A microsurgical breast augmentation is not the ideal solution for every patient with a mastectomy but every patient has the right to obtain complete information about the whole spectrum of breast reconstruction including microsurgical free flap reconstruction.