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Updated: May 28, 2026
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Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
Unveiling Upper-Limb Dysfunction Early After Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: Insights from a Retrospective
Elisa Andrenelli1, Matteo Torresetti2, Enrico Lenti3
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Neurorehabilitation Clinic, Marche Polytechnic University Medical School, Ancona, Italy.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
|May 26, 2026
Summary
Prepectoral breast reconstruction offers better early upper-limb function and fewer complications compared to subpectoral approaches. Patient factors like pre-existing dysfunction also impact recovery, highlighting the benefits of muscle-sparing techniques.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Breast Reconstruction
- Upper-Limb Function
Background:
- Prepectoral (PP) breast reconstruction is a muscle-sparing alternative to subpectoral (SP) methods.
- While aesthetics and oncologic results are known, early functional recovery is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare early upper-limb function between prepectoral and subpectoral implant-based breast reconstruction.
- To explore functional outcomes based on implant coverage materials in the prepectoral group.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 124 women undergoing PP or SP implant-based breast reconstruction.
- Assessment at one month included QuickDASH, shoulder ROM, IPAQ, and Body Image Scale.
- Exploratory analysis of PP cohort based on acellular dermal matrix (ADM), synthetic mesh, or polyurethane-coated (PU) implants.
Main Results:
- PP patients reported significantly lower disability (QuickDASH), better body image, and less pathological shoulder ROM.
- Functional complications and need for postoperative rehabilitation were lower in the PP group.
- Within the PP group, ADM and mesh coverage showed more favorable outcomes than PU implants.
Conclusions:
- Early upper-limb function post-breast reconstruction is influenced by the surgical approach and patient factors.
- Muscle-sparing prepectoral techniques may promote better short-term functional recovery.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings due to the study's retrospective nature.
