Two staged breast reconstruction following prophylactic bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results in patients who underwent bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy (BSCM) for prophylaxis against invasive breast cancer. All patients were operated on with the same protocol regarding indications and surgical method. Reconstruction was completed in two stages with tissue expanders and permanent round or shaped rough textured gel filled silicone implants. The study includes 52 patients with a mean age of 39.5 years operated on in the period 1991-2000; the period of follow-up ranged between 3 and 12 years with a mean of 7. In this series, not a single case of invasive cancer developed, and the aesthetic results are considered very satisfactory. This data strengthens the case of subcutaneous mastectomy as a valid prophylactic operation.