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Immediate Breast Reconstruction with Implants After Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: A Report of 96 Cases

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Abstract

Background

Skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) with immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) has become increasingly popular as an effective treatment for patients with early-stage breast cancer requiring mastectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of IBR using permanent gel breast implants and Becker expandable breast implants after SSM.

Methods

A review of 96 patients undergoing IBR with Beck expandable or permanent gel breast implants after SSM from July 2002 to December 2006 was performed. Of the 96 patients, 30 had IBR after SSM with conservation of the nipple–areola complex (NAC). The mean patient age was 42 years (range, 29–57 years). Aesthetic outcomes were assessed according to the breast volume, shape, and symmetry with the opposite breasts after a mean follow-up period of 44 months.

Results

The aesthetic outcomes were graded as excellent for 29 patients, good for 47 patients, fair for 12 patients, and poor for 8 patients. The overall complication rate was 11.5% (11/96). The complications included prosthesis loss after skin flap necrosis subsequent to hematoma formation (n = 1), skin necrosis (n = 2), partial necrosis of preserved NAC (n = 1), capsular contracture (Baker 4, n = 2), wound infection not involving the prosthesis (n = 2), inversion of the injection port (n = 2), and seroma (n = 2).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that prosthetic breast reconstruction is a safe, reliable method with minimal complications and good to excellent aesthetic results for the majority of patients with early-stage breast cancer. For selected patients, NAC-sparing mastectomy can be performed without increasing the risk of local recurrences. Success depends on patient selection, proper incision for SSM, total coverage of the prostheses with muscles, and careful intra- and postoperative management.

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Acknowledgments

No financial support or benefits were received by the authors for this study. The implant was purchased by the patients and not donated by the manufacturers. All the patients in the authors’ hospital signed an agreement before the operation for the photos to be used for academic purposes. The authors express their gratitude to Professor Guan WX (Shanghai) and Professor Boo-Chai K (Singapore) for their help in the preparation of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 33 Ba-Da-Chu Road, Shi-Jing-Shan District, Beijing, 100041, People’s Republic of China

    Fa-Cheng Li

  2. Department of General Surgery, The Chao Yang Hospital, Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, People’s Republic of China

    Hong-Chuan Jiang & Jie Li

Authors
  1. Fa-Cheng Li
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  2. Hong-Chuan Jiang
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  3. Jie Li
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Correspondence to Fa-Cheng Li.

Additional information

Fa-Cheng Li and Hong-Chuan Jiang contributed equally to the work.

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Li, FC., Jiang, HC. & Li, J. Immediate Breast Reconstruction with Implants After Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: A Report of 96 Cases. Aesth Plast Surg 34, 705–710 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-010-9526-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-010-9526-6

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