Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026
Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
Nipple-sparing mastectomy with implant reconstruction: the Westmead experience
Samriti Sood1, Elisabeth Elder, James French
1Westmead Hospital, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
Background:
Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) involves the removal of all breast tissue with preservation of the breast skin envelope and nipple-areola complex (NAC). The objective of this study was to report the outcomes from our initial experience with NSM.
Methods:
We retrospectively analysed 87 women who underwent 118 NSMs between October 2008 and May 2012.
Results:
Indications for NSM were 60 (51%) primary cancer, 15 (13%) residual/recurrent disease, 39 (33%) risk reduction and 4 (3%) benign pathology. Implant loss (n = 10) was associated with subcutaneous placement (P = 0.01), post-operative seroma and infection (P = 0.028, 0.001), skin flap necrosis (P = 0.007) and NAC loss (P = 0.027). Capsular contraction was related to adjuvant radiotherapy (P = 0.044). Local recurrence occurred in four patients, and NAC recurrence with invasive cancer occurred in one patient after a median follow-up of 30 months.
Conclusion:
Our Australian NSM series adds to the published literature supporting the oncological safety of NSM for early-stage breast cancer and risk reduction.
