A Scoping Review of Innervated Breast Reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Breast surgery often leads to altered sensation, negatively impacting patients' quality of life.
• Nerve coaptation techniques have emerged as a promising method to restore sensation.
• Understanding outcomes of sensate breast reconstruction is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of available literature on sensory outcomes in sensate breast reconstruction.
• To identify and synthesize findings from studies employing innervation techniques in breast reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.
• Databases searched: EMBASE and PubMed (1990-2022).
• Inclusion criteria: original sensory outcomes following innervation techniques in breast reconstruction.

Main Results:

• 27 studies met inclusion criteria, focusing on autologous reconstruction and nipple-areola complex reinnervation.
• 88.9% of studies reported improved sensory outcomes with innervated versus non-innervated reconstruction.
• Two studies using validated questionnaires showed improved patient-reported outcomes with innervated reconstruction.

Conclusions:

• Sensate breast reconstruction demonstrates potential for improved patient outcomes.
• There is a growing trend in studies focusing on direct nipple-areolar reinnervation.
• Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to evaluate quality-of-life, sensory, and patient-reported outcomes comprehensively.