The Telemark Score: a Reliable Method for Evaluation of Results After Breast Surgery (TBS)

August 3, 2016 updated by: Anadi Begic, Sykehuset Telemark

The Telemark Breast Score is a Valid Method for the Evaluation of Outcome After Reconstructive Surgery of the Breast

This paper will present a specific tool for evaluation of cosmetic results after breast conserving surgery (BCS) and secondary breast reconstruction with free DIEP-flap. Introduction of a breast score system using digital photography seems to be a reliable tool for estimation of cosmetic results after breast surgery. The method has been employed on a specific group of 346 consecutive patients operated for breast cancer with breast conserving surgery. For the purpose of this study breast score system was tested on patients with free flap breast reconstruction (DIEP flap).

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Background: Validated instruments for assessing results after breast surgery are sparse. Investigators want to present a method used for the past 10 years at their institution for evaluation of the outcome after breast conserving surgery (BCS) and microsurgical breast reconstruction. Methods: 346 consecutive patients subjected to BCS for cancer and 30 patients operated with a deep inferior epigastric flap (DIEP ) were assessed at least one year after the operation. The Telemark Breast Score is a method based on standard two-dimensional photographs assessing the outcome after breast surgery in terms of volume, shape and symmetry. Three different panels including plastic surgeons, breast surgeons and nurses were invited to test the Telemark Breast Score. Consistency of agreement between and inside the panel groups was studied Results: Inter- and intra observer reliability was acceptable. Good stability of ratings could be shown in test-retests.

Conclusion: The Telemark Breast Scale is inexpensive, statistically reliable and can be applied for quality control after breast surgery.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

376

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

2 cohorts, one subjected to BCS and one to DIEP surgery.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients operated for breast cancer at Hospital of Telemark

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients operated for breast cancer and not subjected for irradiation

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Cohort
  • Time Perspectives: Retrospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
BCS
Photographs og consecutive group of 346 patients operated with breast conserving surgery were used to investigate cosmetic outcomes.
Other: digital photography
Photographies with digital cameras were taken postoperatively for the documentation, anonymised and used for evaluation of cosmetic results after surgery.
DIEP
Photographs og consecutive group of 30 patients operated with DIEP-flap were used to assess cosmetic results
Other: digital photography
Photographies with digital cameras were taken postoperatively for the documentation, anonymised and used for evaluation of cosmetic results after surgery.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Telemark Breast Score
Time Frame: 2013-2014
validation of Telemark Breast Score
2013-2014

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sykehuset Telemark

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

April 1, 2014

Primary Completion (Actual)

November 1, 2014

Study Completion (Actual)

November 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 29, 2016

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 29, 2016

First Posted (Estimate)

August 2, 2016

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

August 4, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 3, 2016

Last Verified

August 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 1097.13-1
  • 2013/1197 (Other Identifier: REC - Regional Commitee for Research Ethics)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Subscribe