Nipple sparing versus skin sparing mastectomy: a systematic review protocol

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

• Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, with a trend towards breast conservation and improved aesthetics.
• Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) is gaining interest, but its oncological safety and indications require further investigation.
• Mastectomy remains a preferred option for some patients, highlighting the need to evaluate alternative surgical techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and compare the safety and efficacy of nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) versus skin sparing mastectomy (SSM).
• To identify the benefits and indications for NSM in breast cancer treatment.
• To evaluate oncological, clinical, aesthetic, and patient-reported outcomes for both procedures.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of original comparative studies (RCTs, cohort, case-control) involving women undergoing NSM or SSM.
• Comprehensive literature search including grey literature, followed by two-stage eligibility assessment (title/abstract, full text) by independent teams.
• Data extraction into a standardized database and analysis to explore relationships between mastectomy type and outcomes, assessing heterogeneity.

Main Results:

• This section is to be populated upon completion of the systematic review and data analysis.
• Expected to provide comparative data on oncological safety (e.g., recurrence rates, survival) between NSM and SSM.
• Will also present findings on secondary outcomes including aesthetic results, patient satisfaction, and quality of life.

Conclusions:

• The findings will elucidate the oncological safety and efficacy of NSM compared to SSM.
• This review aims to provide evidence-based guidance on the appropriate use of NSM in breast cancer management.
• Results will inform clinical practice, healthcare policy, and future research directions regarding nipple sparing mastectomy.