Validation of the breast evaluation questionnaire for use with breast surgery patients

BACKGROUND: Reliable and valid assessment instruments in aesthetic surgery are a vital factor in assessing patient satisfaction with physical appearance. Appearance and satisfaction assessments are needed to adequately evaluate quality of life related to changes in the female breast across a variety of surgical interventions. The Breast Evaluation Questionnaire was designed to assess satisfaction with breast attributes. METHODS: The Breast Evaluation Questionnaire is a 55-item assessment that was validated on 1244 women seeking augmentation mammaplasty. RESULTS: Subscales of the Breast Evaluation Questionnaire include comfort not fully dressed, comfort fully dressed, and satisfaction with breast attributes. The questionnaire has been demonstrated to be valid and reliable for assessing these factors. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment is easy to administer and interpret and is recommended for assessing outcomes among breast augmentation patients, breast reconstruction patients, mastectomy patients, lumpectomy/breast-sparing surgery patients, breast reduction patients, and patients who have sustained trauma or injury to their breasts.