Wikipedia

Nipple-sparing mastectomy

Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM), also known as nipple delay, is one of the surgical approaches for treating or preventing breast cancer. It involves the removal of all breast tissue, except the nipple-areolar complex (NAC), and the creation of new circulatory connections from the breast skin to NAC.[1] By preserving the NAC, NSM has provided patients with higher cosmetic expectations and the opportunity to undergo a mastectomy while maintaining a more natural appearance.[2]

Women after nipple-sparing mastectomy and implant reconstruction.

The concept and technique of NSM were originally introduced by Freeman in the 1960s.[3] This technique has offered a viable alternative for patients who prioritize cosmetic outcomes, taking into consideration factors such as tumour size, breast size, and the presence of inflammatory signs.[4][5]

At the beginning of the surgery, various incision methods can be performed.[6] Followed by flap dissection for removal of the breast tissue, NAC is preserved during the whole procedure.[7] Breast reconstruction options, such as implant-based or flap-based reconstruction, can be pursued at last. After the surgery, proper monitoring of blood pressure and psychological support are needed.[8]

NSM is generally safe involving a low risk of necrosis of the NAC or surrounding skin due to interruptions of blood supply to it.[9] Necrosis has been reported from 6%-30% of patients.[10] The increased rates have an association with risk factors, including ptotic breasts, periareolar scars, large cup size, and previous radiation.[10]

History

edit

The concept and technique of NSM were first described by Freeman in 1962.[3] The procedure was fraught with complications, unsatisfying cosmetic outcomes, and concerns about its oncologic safety.[3] It was thus not widely accepted by surgeons. After the identification of the BRCA gene in the 1990s,[11] together with the reintroduction by Hartmann et al. in their published research,[12] the procedure regained popularity. The bulk of the study's patients had undergone NSM, and only 1% of them went on to acquire breast cancer subsequently.[12] Whether the nipple was removed or kept, there was no difference in risk reduction.[13][12]

However, the suitability of NSM for individuals with excessively large or ptotic breasts has been a topic of debate. In 2009, Spear et al. conducted an initial study and concluded that NSM should not be offered to such patients.[14] Nevertheless, in the same year, a critique of Spear challenged this conclusion by presenting a case of a patient with macromastia who underwent NSM safely following a pre-mastectomy delay procedure.[15]

In 2020, Jay Arthur Jensen presented a new strategy that combines NSM with subtotal mastectomy.[16] This approach not only achieves post-mastectomy nipple positioning but also avoids the potential drawbacks associated with a separate reduction mammoplasty followed by NSM or a specialized delay procedure.[16] Importantly, all patients undergo full oncologic mastectomies, ensuring that nipple sparing can be achieved in this high-risk group within two procedures without compromising oncologic safety.[16]

Indication

edit

Therapeutic Candidate

edit

Patients suffering from benign or malignant breast cancer can receive NSM treatment. The goal of NSM is to obtain negative margins and achieve a satisfying cosmetic outcome at the same time. NSM was ideally aimed at small breast cancer where the location of tumour is far away from the Nipple Areolar Complex (NAC), and without clinical lymph node involvement.[4][5] Selection of NSM candidates is based on preoperative and intraoperative assessment.

Preoperative Assessment [4][5]

edit
Patients who have
edit
  • undergone tumour margin evaluation by using radiological distance (mammogram or MRI)
  • a tumour size smaller than 3 cm
  • a distance between tumour and NAC farther than 2 cm
  • tumour located outside of the areola area
  • no nipple retraction
  • no blood discharge from the nipple
  • no inflammatory signs
  • no previous irradiation and no micro calcifications on radiologic assessment
  • no or minimal ptosis (grade 0 or 1)
  • A or B cup breast size
  • a BMI < 30 kg/m2
Patients with
edit
Patients who are not an active smoker
edit

are recommended to receive this surgery.

Nonetheless, patients with contraindications have shown positive results when using some of the more recent approaches to these difficult cases. NSM is now feasible even for patients with different contraindications. Currently, only women with inflammatory signs and nipple involvement are the absolute contraindications for conducting an NSM.[17]

Intraoperative Assessment

edit

Patients will undergo a frozen section examination of retroareolar tissue during the operation.[4] The intraoperative frozen section is highly specific and moderately sensitive for identifying positive sub-areolar biopsies in NSM. The examination can act as a guide for intraoperative reconstructive planning.[18] The importance of conducting sub-areolar biopsies in all nipple-sparing mastectomies can be shown by the existence of positive sub-areolar biopsies in contralateral and high-risk prophylactic mastectomy specimens.[18]

Prophylactic Candidate

edit

High risk genetic mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers can receive preventative mastectomy as a risk-reduction treatment. The operation can reduce their overall risk of developing future breast cancer by more than 90%.[19]

Technique

edit

There are various ways of incision. The selection of incision methods depends on the skin perfusion and cosmetic factors.[20]

 
Incisions in nipple-sparing mastectomy (A: periareolar, B: radial, C: inframammary fold).

Inframammary fold (IMF) incision

edit

This is the most common incision approach.[21] An approximately 9 cm incision is performed inferiorly to the nipple.[22] It then extends laterally along the IMF.[22] The incision can be displaced 4 cm medially if the internal mammary arteries are desired as the recipient vessel for autologous reconstruction.[22]

Vertical radial incision

edit

A vertical radial incision extends from the bottom of the areola border to the inframammary fold.[6] This incision is preferable by plastic surgeons as it allows upward positioning of the nipple for ptosis correction.[23]

Circumareolar with lateral extension incision

edit

The incision is performed around the button half portion of the areolar border to the inframammary fold laterally.[6] This approach is preferred by surgeons who routinely perform skin-sparing mastectomies via circumareolar incision.

Preexisting scars incision

edit

NSM can be performed through preexisting incision for prevention of additional scarring.  

After incision, mastectomy flap dissection is performed.[7] Exposure is created by retraction of the skin flap with counter-tension by countertraction of the breast gland.[7] This technique allows better visualization and access to the underlying breast tissue.[24] Breast and ductal tissues are removed from the chest wall and the pectoralis muscle, including the pectoralis fascia.[7] Through the whole procedure, the NAC is preserved by dissecting the tissues away from the underlying structures to maintain the blood supply and nerve connections to the nipple.[6]

Any breast reconstruction approaches, including implant-based reconstruction and flap-based reconstruction, may be done after the surgery.[6] Implant-based reconstructions are most commonly selected as they allow the rebuilding of a moderate size of breast.[25] Flap-based reconstruction utilizes autologous tissue, such as muscle or subcutaneous from alternative body regions for reconstructing the breast mound.[26]

Postoperative management

edit

Physical

edit

Monitoring of blood pressure is vital after the surgery.[8] If any hypotensive situation occurs in patients, intravascular fluid injection is required for replenishment of blood pressure.[8] Drugs containing epinephrine should be avoided to prevent vasoconstriction and reduced blood flow through the anastomosis.[27] Physical assessment, such as skin colour, capillary refill time, skin turgor, skin temperature, and sensation of the breast, are used for blood pressure examination at NAC.[8]

Psychological

edit

Patients often suffer from depression and anxiety due to the stress of surgery and loss of breast tissue.[27] Mental health education and self-compassion are important as a protective mechanism for body image disturbance and psychological distress.[28] However, this surgical approach provides greater psychological benefits than other mastectomy due to the preservation of the NAC and women’s body image.[8]

Risk and complication

edit

NSM has the same perioperative complications as skin-sparing mastectomy and breast reconstruction.[29] One of the most common risks would be necrosis of the NAC and the surrounding skin tissues.[30] This is affected by the oxygenating ability of the breast skin, which relates to the blood supply.[31] The blood supply to the NAC particularly may be interfered with by the NSM. The average rate of partial or full skin flap necrosis is 9.5%.[31] This is likely due to the surgical techniques and patient selection. BMI, breast mass, and sternal notch to nipple length are more adversely affecting the risk of necrosis.[31]

Although breast reconstruction is known to be safe, there might still be some complications, including infection, seroma, hematoma, and capsule contracture.[32]

The risk of NAC necrosis can be reduced by the ‘delayed’ procedure.[10] It consists of the creation of new circulatory connections from the breast skin to the NAC.[10] In this way, the NAC may no longer be completely dependent on the breast tissue underneath for its blood supply.[33]

As the NAC is preserved, patients may encounter a higher risk of occult NAC tumour.[34] The retroareolar tissue is not removed completely and thus more terminal duct lobular units are left in patient’ s body, which induces higher oncological risk.[34]

Significance

edit

The difference between NSM and skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) is that NSM allows preservation of the NAC but SSM does not.[35] One of the main reasons to preserve the NAC is for patients’ satisfaction and psychological benefits.[36] It is a crucial component of the breast, given its aesthetics and contribution to sexual pleasure.[37] Even though the NAC can be reconstructed after performing SSM, the reconstruction is difficult due to the unique appearance of every NAC. Overall, NSM can result in higher sexual and psychosocial well-being.[38]

References

edit
  1. ^ Tokin, Christopher; Weiss, Anna; Wang-Rodriguez, Jessica; Blair, Sarah L. (2012). "Oncologic Safety of Skin-Sparing and Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: A Discussion and Review of the Literature". International Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2012: 921821. doi:10.1155/2012/921821. ISSN 2090-1402. PMC 3405669. PMID 22848803.
  2. ^ Jensen, J. Arthur; Lin, Jennifer H.; Kapoor, Nimmi; Giuliano, Armando E. (2012). "Surgical Delay of the Nipple–Areolar Complex: A Powerful Technique to Maximize Nipple Viability Following Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy". Annals of Surgical Oncology. 19 (10): 3171–3176. doi:10.1245/s10434-012-2528-7. ISSN 1534-4681. PMID 22829005.
  3. ^ a b c Freeman, Bromley S. (1962). "Subcutaneous Mastectomy For Benign Breast Lesions With Immediate Or Delayed Prosthetic Replacement". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 30 (6): 676–682. doi:10.1097/00006534-196212000-00008. ISSN 0032-1052. PMID 13959443.
  4. ^ a b c d Lohsiriwat, Visnu; Petit, JeanYves (2012). "Nipple Sparing Mastectomy: from prophylactic to therapeutic standard". Gland Surgery. 1 (2): 759–779. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2227-684X.2012.06.02. ISSN 2227-8575. PMC 4115683. PMID 25083428.
  5. ^ a b c Tousimis, Eleni; Haslinger, Michelle (2018). "Overview of indications for nipple sparing mastectomy". Gland Surgery. 7 (3): 28800–28300. doi:10.21037/gs.2017.11.11. ISSN 2227-8575. PMC 6006023. PMID 29998078.
  6. ^ a b c d e Smith, Barbara L.; Coopey, Suzanne B. (2018). "Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy". Advances in Surgery. 52 (1): 113–126. doi:10.1016/j.yasu.2018.03.008. ISSN 1878-0555. PMID 30098607.
  7. ^ a b c d Kopkash, Katherine; Sisco, Mark; Poli, Elizabeth; Seth, Akhil; Pesce, Catherine (2020). "The modern approach to the nipple-sparing mastectomy". Journal of Surgical Oncology. 122 (1): 29–35. doi:10.1002/jso.25909. ISSN 1096-9098. PMID 32219847.
  8. ^ a b c d e Parks, Lisa (2021). "Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy in Breast Cancer: Impact on Surgical Resection, Oncologic Safety, and Psychological Well-Being". Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology. 12 (5): 499–506. doi:10.6004/jadpro.2021.12.5.5. ISSN 2150-0878. PMC 8299789. PMID 34430060.
  9. ^ Lee, Samantha C.; Mendez-Broomberg, Karen; Eacobacci, Katherine; Vincoff, Nina S.; Gupta, Ekta; McElligott, Suzanne E. (2022). "Nipple-sparing Mastectomy: What the Radiologist Should Know". Radiographics. 42 (2): 321–339. doi:10.1148/rg.210136. ISSN 1527-1323. PMID 35179983.
  10. ^ a b c d Lee, Phoebe L.; Ma, Irene T.; Schusterman, Mark Asher II; Beiriger, Justin; Ahrendt, Gretchen; De La Cruz, Carolyn; Diego, Emilia J.; Steiman, Jennifer G.; McAuliffe, Priscilla F.; Gimbel, Michael L. (2023). "Surgical Nipple Delay and its Expanded Indications for Nipple-sparing Mastectomy". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 11 (1): e4783. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004783. PMC 9857370. PMID 36699239.
  11. ^ Hall, Jeff M.; Lee, Ming K.; Newman, Beth; Morrow, Jan E.; Anderson, Lee A.; Huey, Bing; King, Mary-Claire (1990). "Linkage of Early-Onset Familial Breast Cancer to Chromosome 17q21". Science. 250 (4988): 1684–1689. Bibcode:1990Sci...250.1684H. doi:10.1126/science.2270482. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 2270482.
  12. ^ a b c Hartmann, L. C.; Sellers, T. A.; Schaid, D. J.; Frank, T. S.; Soderberg, C. L.; Sitta, D. L.; Frost, M. H.; Grant, C. S.; Donohue, J. H.; Woods, J. E.; McDonnell, S. K.; Vockley, C. W.; Deffenbaugh, A.; Couch, F. J.; Jenkins, R. B. (2001). "Efficacy of Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy in BRCA1 and BRCA2 Gene Mutation Carriers". Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 93 (21): 1633–1637. doi:10.1093/jnci/93.21.1633. ISSN 0027-8874. PMID 11698567.
  13. ^ Hartmann, L. C.; Schaid, D. J.; Woods, J. E.; Crotty, T. P.; Myers, J. L.; Arnold, P. G.; Petty, P. M.; Sellers, T. A.; Johnson, J. L.; McDonnell, S. K.; Frost, M. H.; Jenkins, R. B. (1999). "Efficacy of bilateral prophylactic mastectomy in women with a family history of breast cancer". The New England Journal of Medicine. 340 (2): 77–84. doi:10.1056/NEJM199901143400201. ISSN 0028-4793. PMID 9887158.
  14. ^ Spear, Scott L.; Hannan, Catherine M.; Willey, Shawna C.; Cocilovo, Costanza (2009). "Nipple-sparing mastectomy". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 123 (6): 1665–1673. doi:10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181a64d94. ISSN 1529-4242. PMID 19483564.
  15. ^ Jensen, J. Arthur (2009). "Nipple-sparing mastectomy: what is the best evidence for safety?". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 124 (6): 2195–2197. doi:10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181bcf654. ISSN 1529-4242. PMID 19952691.
  16. ^ a b c Jensen, Jay Arthur; Giuliano, Armando E. (2020-06-23). "The Hybrid Delay: A New Approach for Nipple-sparing Mastectomy in Macromastia". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 8 (6): e2940. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002940. ISSN 2169-7574. PMC 7339346. PMID 32766079.
  17. ^ Brzezinska, Monika; Dixon, J. Michael (2018). "Inflammatory breast cancer: no longer an absolute contraindication for breast conservation surgery following good response to neoadjuvant therapy". Gland Surgery. 7 (6): 52024–52524. doi:10.21037/gs.2018.08.04. ISSN 2227-8575. PMC 6323256. PMID 30687625.
  18. ^ a b Alperovich, Michael; Choi, Mihye; Karp, Nolan S.; Singh, Baljit; Ayo, Diego; Frey, Jordan D.; Roses, Daniel F.; Schnabel, Freya R.; Axelrod, Deborah M.; Shapiro, Richard L.; Guth, Amber A. (2016). "Nipple-sparing Mastectomy and Sub-areolar Biopsy: To Freeze or not to Freeze? Evaluating the Role of Sub-areolar Intraoperative Frozen Section". The Breast Journal. 22 (1): 18–23. doi:10.1111/tbj.12517. PMID 26510917.
  19. ^ Thepjatri, Nate (2007). "Surgery of the Breast: Principles and Art, 2nd ed". Annals of Surgery. 245 (4): 661. doi:10.1097/01.sla.0000259049.76053.05. ISSN 0003-4932. PMC 1877050.
  20. ^ Lotan, Adi Maisel; Tongson, Krystina C.; Police, Alice M.; Dec, Wojciech (2020). "Mastectomy Incision Design to Optimize Aesthetic Outcomes in Breast Reconstruction". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 8 (9): e3086. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003086. ISSN 2169-7574. PMC 7544272. PMID 33133941.
  21. ^ Go, Ju Young; Jeong, Dae Kyun; Han, Daniel Seungyoul; Bae, Seong Hwan (2018). "Inframammary Flap Excision Method in Breast Augmentation: Improving Symmetry of NAC and IMF". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 6 (12): e2052. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002052. ISSN 2169-7574. PMC 6326606. PMID 30656124.
  22. ^ a b c Kopkash, Katherine; Sisco, Mark; Poli, Elizabeth; Seth, Akhil; Pesce, Catherine (2020). "The modern approach to the nipple-sparing mastectomy". Journal of Surgical Oncology. 122 (1): 29–35. doi:10.1002/jso.25909. ISSN 0022-4790. PMID 32219847.
  23. ^ White, Colin P.; Peterson, Brian D. (2021). "Augmentation Mastopexy with Surgical Excision of the Lower Pole to Avoid Waterfall Deformity: A Surgical Technique and Nipple Areolar Complex Case Series". Plastic Surgery. 29 (2): 103–109. doi:10.1177/2292550320933662. ISSN 2292-5503. PMC 8120554. PMID 34026673.
  24. ^ Bille, Camilla; Dalaei, Farima; Thomsen, Jørn Bo (2019). "Identifying the dissection plane for mastectomy—description and visualization of our technique". Gland Surgery. 8 (Suppl 4): S276–S280. doi:10.21037/gs.2019.05.04. ISSN 2227-684X. PMC 6819889. PMID 31709167.
  25. ^ Malekpour, Mahdi; Malekpour, Fatemeh; Wang, Howard Tz-Ho (2023). "Breast reconstruction: Review of current autologous and implant-based techniques and long-term oncologic outcome". World Journal of Clinical Cases. 11 (10): 2201–2212. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v11.i10.2201. ISSN 2307-8960. PMC 10131028. PMID 37122510.
  26. ^ Somogyi, Ron B.; Ziolkowski, Natalia; Osman, Fahima; Ginty, Alexandra; Brown, Mitchell (2018). "Breast reconstruction". Canadian Family Physician. 64 (6): 424–432. ISSN 0008-350X. PMC 5999246. PMID 29898931.
  27. ^ a b Nahabedian, Maurice Y.; Nahabedian, Anissa G. (2016). "Autologous microvascular breast reconstruction: Postoperative strategies to improve outcomes". Nursing. 46 (12): 26–34. doi:10.1097/01.NURSE.0000504672.73356.8e. ISSN 1538-8689. PMID 27824738.
  28. ^ Sherman, K. A.; Woon, S.; French, J.; Elder, E. (2017). "Body image and psychological distress in nipple-sparing mastectomy: the roles of self-compassion and appearance investment". Psycho-Oncology. 26 (3): 337–345. doi:10.1002/pon.4138. ISSN 1099-1611. PMID 27167009.
  29. ^ Piper, Merisa; Peled, Anne Warren; Foster, Robert D.; Moore, Dan H.; Esserman, Laura J. (2013). "Total Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: A Systematic Review of Oncologic Outcomes and Postoperative Complications". Annals of Plastic Surgery. 70 (4): 435–437. doi:10.1097/SAP.0b013e31827e5333. ISSN 0148-7043. PMID 23486127.
  30. ^ Chirappapha, Prakasit; Petit, Jean-Yves; Rietjens, Mario; De Lorenzi, Francesca; Garusi, Cristina; Martella, Stefano; Barbieri, Benedetta; Gottardi, Alessandra; Andrea, Manconi; Giuseppe, Lomeo; Hamza, Alaa; Lohsiriwat, Visnu (2014). "Nipple Sparing Mastectomy: Does Breast Morphological Factor Related to Necrotic Complications?". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2 (1): e99. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000000038. ISSN 2169-7574. PMC 4174220. PMID 25289296.
  31. ^ a b c Zenn, Michael R. (2018). "Evaluation of skin viability in nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM)". Gland Surgery. 7 (3): 301–307. doi:10.21037/gs.2018.04.04. PMC 6006020. PMID 29998079.
  32. ^ Toh, Uhi; Takenaka, Miki; Iwakuma, Nobutaka; Akagi, Yoshito (2021). "Clinical outcomes of patients after nipple-sparing mastectomy and reconstruction based on the expander/implant technique". Surgery Today. 51 (6): 862–871. doi:10.1007/s00595-020-02175-4. ISSN 0941-1291. PMC 8141482. PMID 33185799.
  33. ^ Davies, Kerry; Allan, Lyra; Roblin, Paul; Ross, David; Farhadi, Jian (2011). "Factors affecting post-operative complications following skin sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction". The Breast. 20 (1): 21–25. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2010.06.006. ISSN 0960-9776. PMID 20619645.
  34. ^ a b Edge, Stephen B. (2009). "Nipple-sparing mastectomy: how often is the nipple involved?". Journal of Clinical Oncology. 27 (30): 4930–4932. doi:10.1200/JCO.2009.23.9996. ISSN 1527-7755. PMID 19720888.
  35. ^ Galimberti, Viviana; Vicini, Elisa; Corso, Giovanni; Morigi, Consuelo; Fontana, Sabrina; Sacchini, V.; Veronesi, Paolo (2017). "Nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomy: review of aims, oncological safety and contraindications". Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland). 34 (Suppl 1): S82–S84. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2017.06.034. ISSN 0960-9776. PMC 5837802. PMID 28673535.
  36. ^ Agha, R. A.; Al Omran, Y.; Wellstead, G.; Sagoo, H.; Barai, I.; Rajmohan, S.; Borrelli, M. R.; Vella-Baldacchino, M.; Orgill, D. P.; Rusby, J. E. (2019). "Systematic review of therapeutic nipple-sparing versus skin-sparing mastectomy". BJS Open. 3 (2): 135–145. doi:10.1002/bjs5.50119. ISSN 2474-9842. PMC 6433323. PMID 30957059.
  37. ^ Clarijs, Marloes E.; Peeters, Noelle J. M. C. Vrancken; van Dongen, Sophie A. F.; Koppert, Linetta B.; Pusic, Andrea L.; Mureau, Marc A. M.; Rijken, Bianca F. M. (2023). "Quality of Life and Complications after Nipple- versus Skin-Sparing Mastectomy followed by Immediate Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 152 (1): 12–24. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000010155. ISSN 0032-1052. PMC 10298179. PMID 36728484.
  38. ^ Goh, S. C. J.; Martin, N. A.; Pandya, A. N.; Cutress, R. I. (2011). "Patient satisfaction following nipple-areolar complex reconstruction and tattooing". Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery: JPRAS. 64 (3): 360–363. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2010.05.010. ISSN 1878-0539. PMID 20570584.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nipple-sparing_mastectomy&oldid=1245395329"