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Chin et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2023;10:52 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2023.44 Page 11 of 14

and applied to patients undergoing breast reconstruction. While qualitative studies have examined
embodiment following mastectomy and breast reconstruction, further research is needed to measure the
dimensions of breast embodiment, including ownership, body representation, sensation, posture, and
psychosocial outcomes. Studies in the prosthetics literature may serve as a guide for applying these
measures to breast reconstruction outcomes. The breast embodiment framework builds upon existing
patient-reported outcome measures and expands the plastic surgeon’s tools for evaluating patients’
experiences following reconstruction. Beyond post-mastectomy reconstruction, the embodiment framework
may also be useful in outcome evaluations of other reconstructive surgeries, such as gender-affirming
surgery.

DECLARATIONS
Author’s contributions
Concept and design: Dingle AM, Chin MG, Eftekari SC, Moura SP, Donnelly DAT, Shaffrey EC, Sears L
Literature review and analysis of data: Chin MG
Drafting of the manuscript: Chin MG
Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Chin MG, Eftekari SC, Moura SP,
Donnelly DAT, Shaffrey EC, Sears L, Dingle AM

Availability of data and materials
Not applicable.

Financial support and sponsorship
None.

Conflicts of interest
All authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.

Consent for publication
Not applicable.

Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023.

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