Animation Deformity in Breast Cancer Patients and Mental Health: A Review

Madeline O. Jansen, K. Brendan Butler, David A. Jansen*

Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

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Abstract

Animation Deformity (AD) is a common and serious complication in breast cancer patients undergoing reconstructive surgery involving subpectoral breast implant placement. AD is associated with an increased risk of poor mental health outcomes, including diminished quality of life, depression, suicidality, body image dissatisfaction, and body dysmorphic disorder. Breast cancer survivors, especially those who elect to undergo reconstructive surgery, are known to be a vulnerable population for the development of mental health disorders. Because effective management of AD can be beneficial to a patient’s psychological wellbeing, this represents an important area of consideration for the surgical community. There are several methods for treating AD, which can involve repositioning the implant or inhibiting pectoralis muscle contraction. Such methods include manual muscle transection, neuromodulation, and selective nerve ablation. Research efforts have yet to examine which techniques produce more satisfactory improvements in psychosocial health. Thus, this may be an important area of focus for future research. This review examines contemporary research findings in order to broaden understandings of the relationship between AD and mental health, as well to highlight the importance of managing this complication.

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Introduction

Treatment of breast cancer often involves mastectomy, the removal of diseased breast tissue, followed by surgical reconstruction of the breast¹. In recent years, breast reconstruction has become increasingly utilized as a component of breast cancer management². In 2014, for example, 40% of breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy also elected to have reconstructive surgeries³. Breast reconstruction can be an important aspect of the healing process, and is associated with positive psychosocial gains⁴. However, complications of this surgery have been shown to negatively impact mental health⁴. Animation deformity (AD) is a specific and distressing complication of breast reconstruction with subpectoral implant placement⁵. This can occur when breast implants are placed below the pectoralis muscle and contraction of the muscle leads to visible distortion of the breast tissue⁶. Figures 1 and 2 demonstrate the characteristic implant displacement that often occurs during pectoralis muscle contraction in AD. Breast cancer patients appear to be especially sensitive to this complication, with reported incidence of up to 78%^7,8.

Figure 1: Pre-op, relaxed

Figure 2: Pre-op, pectoral muscle activation

Animation Deformity and Poor Mental Health Outcomes

Studies have shown an association between AD and poor mental health outcomes such as decreased quality of life⁹ and depression¹⁰. Dimensions of quality of life strongly associated with AD include the perception of diminished emotional and psychological health, decreased ability to engage in activities of daily living, and difficulties with personal relationships⁹. The magnitude of this problem is illustrated by the finding that 80% of these patients report AD to be a bothersome complication that affects their everyday life⁹. Of additional significance are recent findings showing an association between breast asymmetry, a common feature of AD, an elevated risk of depression, and decreased psychosocial functioning¹⁰.

Psychological Impact of Cosmetic Outcomes in Breast Reconstruction

Breast cancer patients experiencing poor cosmetic results of breast reconstruction, such as AD, are known to be at an increased risk of poor psychosocial outcomes¹¹. For instance, a patient’s negative perception of the cosmetic outcome has been shown to be detrimental to psychological health12. Higher levels of dissatisfaction are also associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and disorders of body image¹³. Body image dissatisfaction is of clinical significance because it has been found to be related to lower quality of life in cancer patients¹⁴.

Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Reconstruction as a High Risk Population

Breast cancer patients, especially those undergoing mastectomy and breast reconstruction, are known to be at an increased risk of psychiatric disorders¹⁵. Compared to the general population, major depressive disorder is seen at significantly higher rates among those with breast cancer¹⁶. In fact, the prevalence of depression in this group has been reported to be as high as 46%¹⁷. Increased levels of hopelessness, a dimension of depression and risk factor for suicide, have also been observed among breast cancer patients receiving mastectomy¹⁸. Recent research also indicates an increased risk of suicide among those who have surgeries involving breast implants¹⁹. Other psychiatric comorbidities seen more frequently in breast cancer patients include posttraumatic stress disorder²⁰ and generalized anxiety disorder²¹, with respective pre-valences of 10%²⁰ and 16%²¹.

Body image is another important factor to consider when discussing the psychological health of breast cancer survivors, with 50%22 -75%²³ reporting significant levels of body image dissatisfaction. Those undergoing mastectomy and reconstruction, in particular, are known to experience the highest risk of negative body image^18,22. Research also implicates a strong association between body image dissatisfaction, decreased mental health outcomes, and diminished self-esteem among breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy and reconstruction²². Conversely, positive body image is associated with increased levels of self confidence in coping with cancer²⁴. Moreover, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), the disabling preoccupation with a minor or imagined defect, is significantly higher among breast cancer patients pursuing breast reconstruction following mastectomy²⁵. This is significant because BDD has been shown to confer an elevated risk of depression and suicide²⁶.

It should be noted that, compared to mastectomy alone, breast reconstruction following mastectomy has been shown to yield psychosocial benefits⁴. Although the underpinnings of this association have yet to be elucidated in the scientific literature, it may be related to body image and perception of cosmetic outcomes. As discussed above, these factors are known to impact psychosocial functioning in breast cancer survivors^11,12,13,14.

Implications for Treatment of Animation Deformity

Addressing the psychological impact of breast cancer, subsequent breast reconstruction, and surgical complications, such as AD, is of great importance. Several studies have shown psychological factors to be associated with overall survival in these patients¹⁵. Therefore, it is essential to treat AD, should it appear as a complication in breast cancer patients receiving mastectomy with subpectoral implant placement.

Implant-based techniques are the most common methods for breast reconstruction in patients who have undergone mastectomy²⁷. Subpectoral, rather than pre-pectoral, placement of the implant is more commonly employed due to the belief that it yields a more natural appearing result²⁸. It also has a decreased risk of capsular contracture, which is scarring around the implant²⁸. Prevention of AD can be achieved through placement of the implant above the pectoralis muscle²⁹. However, this is not a viable option for all patients, especially those receiving radiation therapy prior to surgery²⁹. Options for treating AD include the following: repositioning the implant from subpectoral to prepectoral²⁷; a muscle splitting biplanar technique, in which the implant is partially covered by the pectoralis muscle³⁰; the injection of neuromodulators into the pectoralis muscle, which temporarily inhibits muscle contraction³¹; and complete transection of the pectoralis muscle³². Surgeries involving transection of the pectoralis muscle involve complete denervation of the tissue and subsequent muscular atrophy³³. An alternative method has been described in a recent case study that selectively denervated the pectoralis muscle through ablation of the medial and lateral pectoral nerves⁵. Complete correction of AD was observed in this patient without long term muscle atrophy, indicating that this is another important consideration for this patient population⁵ (see figures 1, 2,3, 4).

Figure 3: Post-op, selective nerve ablation technique, relaxed

Figure 4: Post-op, selective nerve ablation technique, pectoral muscle activation

Discussion

While it is clear that treatment of AD is an important aspect of managing the psychosocial health of patients with breast cancer, it remains to be seen which surgical intervention yields the best mental health outcomes. Treatments that effectively correct the deformity and those that confer decreased risk of other complications will likely be the most successful. Because of the impact AD has on quality of life and psychosocial functioning, future research efforts should attempt to compare differences in mental health outcomes across the various AD treatment modalities.

Furthermore, because existent studies indicate there to be an association between AD and poor mental health outcomes, the nature of this relationship warrants future exploration. It may be necessary that studies be designed to evaluate more specifically how AD incurs an increased risk of depression and decreased quality of life. Further work may also explore potential associations between AD and other mental illnesses, such as anxiety disorders.

Conclusion

AD is a common and psychologically distressing complication of breast reconstruction among breast cancer survivors, who are at increased risk of poor mental health outcomes. Additionally, breast reconstruction and subsequent AD have been shown to be associated with a host of poor mental health outcomes. Examples include reduced quality of life, depression, body image dissatisfaction, and increased risk of suicide. Several options exist for the correction of AD, but research has yet to examine which method confers the best psychological outcome.

Acknowledgements

There were no financial supports utilized in the writing of this review.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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