The use of real-time digital video in the assessment of post-operative outcomes of breast reconstruction

Introduction: Outcome measures of breast reconstruction have used panel assessment of photographs. This provides limited information to the assessor as these images are static.. The aim of this study was to assess whether the use of digital video was a valid assessment tool and to compare its use against photography. Methods: 35 patients post-reconstruction underwent photography, digital video capture and completed Breast Cancer Treatment Outcomes Scale (BCTOS) questionnaires. The photographs/video clips were randomised and shown to a 21 member panel. Opinions on aesthetic aspects of the reconstruction were assessed using the BCTOS and Harris scale. Panel inter-rater agreement and patient-panel correlation was assessed using Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance and Spearman's rank correlation tests respectively. Results: There was a “moderate” degree of inter-rater agreement amongst panel members in all categories. Greater agreement occurred using video footage to assess overall cosmesis (0.548 vs 0.507) and shape (0.505 vs 0.486). Video showed a greater degree of correlation with patient self-assessment scores in comparison to photography (0.311 vs 0.281). Conclusion: Video footage coupled with panel assessment is a valid method of assessing post-operative outcomes of breast reconstruction and appears superior to still photographs in terms of inter-rater agreement and correlation with patient self-assessment