Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
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 and Immediate Implant-Based Reconstruction with or Without Skin Reduction in Patients with
Sukru Yazar1, Fuat Baris Bengur2, Altug Altinkaya2
1Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University School of Medicine, Kayisdagi Caddesi, No:32 Atasehir, 34752, Istanbul, Turkey. sukruyazar@hotmail.com.
Background:
Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) and implant-based immediate breast reconstruction are becoming preferred options with improved outcomes. However, reconstruction in patients with large and ptotic breasts is challenging. When mastectomy and skin reduction are combined in a single-staged procedure, the vasculature of the skin is disturbed leading to increased complication rates. This paper aims to compare complication rates of NSM and immediate implant-based reconstruction with or without reduction to determine the safety of reduction in this patient group.
Methods:
Breast cancer patients that underwent NSM and implant-based immediate breast reconstruction between November 2010 and 2018 were analyzed. All implants were placed submuscularly. Patients with skin reduction and nipple-areolar complex transposition were matched in a 1:1 fashion with patients without reduction.
Results:
There were 50 patients (72 procedures) in each group. Demographics of the groups were similar as a part of matching process. Mean implant volume in the reduction group was higher (399.93 ± 97.54 vs. 360.21 ± 82.54, p = 0.009). Full thickness skin necrosis rate was higher in the reduction group [12/72 (%17) vs. 2/72 (3%), p = 0.009], and the most common site was over the suture line [6/12 (50%)]. Complications in the reduction group were more common in reconstructions with implant volumes greater than 500 cc (p = 0.008).
Conclusions:
When compared with no reduction, the skin necrosis rate of NSM and immediate implant-based reconstruction with skin reduction is higher. The described technique can only be considered in patients with moderate breast volumes, grade II-III ptosis, and when the planned implant volume is low (< 500 cc).
Level Of Evidence:
IV. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
More Related Videos
03:07Single-Port Robotic-assisted Transaxillary Breast-conserving Surgery: A Prospective, Single-arm, Non-randomized Phase IIa Clinical Trial
Published on: August 19, 2025
06:03Integrating Augmented Reality Tools in Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Prognostication and Diagnosis
Published on: February 6, 2020