Mastectomies are performed to treat or prevent the risk of breast cancer. Annually, over 100,000 women in the US undergo some form of mastectomy [1]. Approximately 40% of women who undergo mastectomies elect to undergo breast reconstruction surgery [2]. Tissue removal during mastectomy decreases insulation and breast reconstruction has been shown to be associated with relatively permanent decreased touch and temperature sensibility at the skin. As a result of these factors, patients are susceptible to thermal injury when attempting to warm their breasts, sometimes even leading to partial and full thickness burns.

The objective of this study was to determine the fabric material and thickness required for an insulating bra that will prevent patients from experiencing excessive heat loss and the associated cold/pain sensations in their breasts at cool room temperature. We determined these parameters by assessing which combinations restored tissue temperatures seen in the reconstructed breast closer to tissue temperatures seen in the natural breast. This heat transfer analysis was performed with geometry based on a representation of the statistical average breast given by the Regensburg Breast Shape Model from the Regensburg University of Applied Sciences. Two breast models were created for comparison: one for the natural breast, with layers for muscle, breast tissue, subcutaneous fat, and skin; and one for the reconstructed breast with layers for implant, muscle, subcutaneous fat, and skin.

The results of this study suggest thicknesses for different bra fabric materials, as well as the potential for designing a safe active heating element. Because the study was conducted with the statistical average breast geometry, these results can be generalized - with caution - to design insulating bras for the general patient population. It would be prudent to further analyze the sensitivity of results to variations in the breast geometry and tissue properties for such future design efforts.