Perineal bowel evisceration after extralevator abdominoperineal excision and vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap closure.

INTRODUCTION: Perineal bowel evisceration is a rare complication after extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE). This surgical technique is used to resect low rectal and anal cancer, with a lower likelihood of positive surgical margins, but resulting in a larger perineal defect. A vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap allows filling of the empty pelvic space and closure of the defect in the pelvic floor. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old woman, with a hysterectomy in her medical history, underwent an ELAPE followed by reconstruction of the perineal defect with a VRAM flap after neoadjuvant radiotherapy for a moderately differentiated invasive adenocarcinoma of the distal rectum. The postoperative course was complicated with a herniation of the perineal wound and evisceration of a bowel loop. CONCLUSION: Closure of the perineal defect after ELAPE remains a challenge, especially in cases where several risk factors for delayed wound healing, flap failure and perineal herniation are present.

Are surgeons ready to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

BACKGROUND: Vaccination against COVID-19 has started in several countries already and is on its way in others. However, there is an important hesitance towards the vaccine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the vaccination hesitance and main concerns towards the vaccine among surgeons. METHODS: An anonymous survey of 16 questions was sent to 138 Belgian surgeons before the start of vaccination in Belgium. The questions were divided into sections, evaluating demographics, COVID-19 test status and symptoms, the surgeon's opinion on the COVID-19 vaccination and their main concerns. RESULTS: Ninety-three out of 138 surgeons (67.4%) completed the survey: two-third of them were residents. Sixty-nine surgeons (74.2%) do want to get vaccinated. Forty-two surgeons (45.2%) feel like they do not have enough information about the vaccine. Residents feel significantly more underinformed than consultants (52.3% and 29.0%, respectively). Surgeons who feel to be well-informed are more willing to get vaccinated (92.2%) compared to those who feel to have a lack of information (52.4%). The main concerns among surgeons include effectiveness (26.9%), safety and side effects (19.4%) and organisation and vaccination strategy (12.9%). Twenty-five surgeons (26.9%) have no concerns at all. CONCLUSION: Most surgeons (74.2%) are ready for their COVID-19 vaccine. However, some of the surgeons are still doubtful about the vaccine. A lack of information plays a major role in their scepticism. A strong communication strategy is necessary to educate, reassure and motivate surgeons to get vaccinated.

The evolution of breast reconstructions with free flaps: a historical overview.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women and is responsible for the highest number of cancer-related deaths. Approximately 40% of the patients with breast cancer will undergo a mastectomy. Breast amputation is a lifesaving but mutilating procedure. Therefore a good quality of life and a good cosmetic outcome is mandatory after breast cancer treatment. Reconstructive breast surgery aims to recreate a natural looking breast that is warm, soft and feels natural. The chosen reconstruction technique depends on the physiognomy of the patient, technical skills of the surgeon and most important the expectations of the patient. RESULTS: The idea of 'like-by-like' replacement refers to reconstruction of a natural-looking, warm, soft and ptotic breast that matches the contralateral side. Autologous breast-reconstruction matches these expectations. Autologous breast reconstructions with free flaps evolved from prolonged and laborious procedures with only limited free flaps available, to routine surgeries with a widespread availability of flaps to use. The first publication of free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction was in 1976 by Fujino. Two years later Holmström was the first to use the abdominal pannus for breast reconstruction. Over the next four decades multiple free flaps have been described. The possible options for donor site are the abdomen, the gluteal region, the thigh and the lower back. During this evolution the reduction of donor site morbidity became more important. CONCLUSION: Present article gives an overview of the evolution of free tissue transfer in breast reconstruction, highlighting the most important milestones.

Emergency evacuation low-pressure suction for the management of extravasation injuries - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Extravasation is the movement of fluid outside its conduit into the extracellular tissue, possibly leading to a local inflammatory reaction, compartment syndrome, tissue necrosis, and full thickness skin loss at the affected area. To prevent these complications, early recognition, referral and treatment of an extravasation injury is of utter importance. CASE REPORT: We present a case, illustrating an extravasation injury into the breast managed by a renovated surgical technique - emergency evacuation low-pressure suction (EELS). A 54-year-old woman attended the emergency department with 1.5 L of total parenteral nutrition leaked into her right breast via a central portal catheter. The patient was seen within 24 hours of the incident, and presented with a diffuse swollen, tender and erythematous right breast but no overlying skin necrosis. Dry EELS via two small stab incisions was performed to evacuate the extravasated total parenteral nutrition and to minimise the aspiration of healthy fat tissue of the breast. Only a few cases of extravasation injuries into the breast have been described and most cases involve chemotherapy extravasation from a central catheter. Presumably there is an underreporting of this complication in the literature. CONCLUSION: This case-report promotes the use of aspiration in the management of diffusely spread extravasated injuries. EELS is a more appropriate term than liposuction, as there is no intention to evacuate healthy fat tissue. This new term is less confusing and might help medical staff and patients to better understand the treatment as it will break the affiliation with an aesthetic procedure. It is an effective and cosmetically satisfactory technique to treat early total parenteral nutrition extravasation injury at the level of the breast.

Elastofibroma dorsi: a case report of bilateral occurrence and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Elastofibroma dorsi (ED) is a benign slow growing soft tissue tumor that is most frequently located subscapular. The prevalence is estimated to be 2% on imaging studies in individuals over 60 years old and might occur bilaterally. The etiology, however, remains unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: This report presents the case of a man with bilateral ED. He first presented at the age of 49 with a subscapular ED on the right side and again at the age of 53 with a subscapular ED on the left side. At both times, diagnosis of ED was histopathologically confirmed after surgical resection. And, again at both times, the postoperative course was characterized by seroma development. DISCUSSION: This report shows a brief review of literature on ED. It contains a summary of the current data on prevalence, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, histopathological findings, surgical treatment and postoperative management. It also includes a flowchart for diagnostic and therapeutic approach. CONCLUSIONS: ED might present bilaterally, though not necessarily affecting both sides simultaneously. In order to diagnose ED MRI is ought to be sufficient. Invasive procedures, i.e. complete surgical excision, are mandatory to treat symptomatic ED, although such surgical procedures are often complicated by seroma formation.

Massive femur defect after Ewing's sarcoma resection reconstructed with a free vascularised fibular graft in a four-year-old girl.

Background: Ewing's sarcoma is the second most common primary malignant bone tumour in children. Depending on localisation and extent, massive bone defects remain when curative surgery is performed. Whereas in the past, limb amputation was often unavoidable to obtain curative resection, nowadays different limb saving reconstructive options are available.Case report: We report the successful reconstruction of a massive femur defect with a free vascularised fibular graft (FVFG) after Ewing's sarcoma resection in a four-year-old girl. Both the age of the patient and the extensive graft hypertrophy makes this case exceptional.Conclusion: Femur reconstruction with a FVFG is a rarely performed and complex procedure in young children. It is an excellent reconstructive technique for large long bone defects, which can avoid limb amputation without compromising oncologic outcome.

A contemporary and a historical patient with an ectopic meningioma.

Introduction: Ectopic meningiomas are rare tumors which can be encountered by all surgical specialties. Patients and methods: We report on two different cases, a contemporary one and a historical one, highlighting the diversity of clinical presentations and prognoses of these lesions. Furthermore epidemiological aspects, clinical features, and diagnostic and therapeutic work-up in patients with an ectopic meningioma are reviewed. Results: Typically, ectopic meningiomas present as gradually expanding lesions, causing a variety of symptoms by their mass effect. Diagnosis is based on histological characteristics, which are similar to those of intracranial meningiomas. Treatment is primarily surgical. Conclusions: The cases we report are at different ends of the clinical and prognostic spectrum. Therapeutic options for different clinical scenarios are discussed.

Progressive subcutaneous emphysema of unknown origin: a surgical dilemma.

Objective: Subcutaneous emphysema can be an alarming sign of a necrotizing soft tissue infection. However, non-infectious etiologies exist that can be treated conservatively. This case report describes a subcutaneous emphysema of unknown origin and highlights the importance of distinguishing these clinical entities. Methods: We present a 17-year old female with pain and subcutaneous emphysema of the left arm. There were no systemic symptoms. Inflammatory parameters were slightly elevated. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest excluded intrathoracic abnormalities. Despite antibiotic treatment, the pain increased and the emphysema extended. Necrotizing fasciitis was feared. A surgical exploration was performed and hyperbaric oxygen therapy was started. Results: Intraoperatively, puncture marks were identified on the left arm. Air noticeably escaped, but normal, unaffected tissues were identified and microbiological cultures remained negative. We observed a good clinical evolution. Conclusion: The lack of apparent causes, the unexplained puncture marks and psychiatric comorbidity suggests the possibility of subcutaneous emphysema due to factitious manipulations. Patients with subcutaneous emphysema who remain clinically stable, have minimal pain and no significant inflammatory changes could be treated conservatively. Close clinical monitoring is essential to avoid delayed intervention in case of a necrotizing soft tissue infection.

Automated thermographic detection of blood vessels for DIEP flap reconstructive surgery.

PURPOSE: Inadequate perfusion is the most common cause of partial flap loss in tissue transfer for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. The current state-of-the-art uses computed tomography angiography (CTA) to locate the best perforators. Unfortunately, these techniques are expensive and time-consuming and not performed during surgery. Dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) can offer a solution for these disadvantages. METHODS: The research presented couples thermographic examination during DIEP flap breast reconstruction with automatic segmentation approach using a convolutional neural network. Traditional segmentation techniques and annotations by surgeons are used to create automatic labels for the training. RESULTS: The network used for image annotation is able to label in real-time on minimal hardware and the labels created can be used to locate and quantify perforator candidates for selection with a dice score accuracy of 0.8 after 2 min and 0.9 after 4 min. CONCLUSIONS: These results allow for a computational system that can be used in place during surgery to improve surgical success. The ability to track and measure perforators and their perfused area allows for less subjective results and helps the surgeon to select the most suitable perforator for DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

Dermal Nipple-Areola Complex Perfusion through Circumareolar Scars: A Delay Model in Two-Stage Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy.

BACKGROUND: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) has evolved as a standard surgical option. The NSM complication rate remains high in large breasts. To reduce the risk of necrosis, several authors have proposed delayed procedures to enhance blood supply to the nipple-areola complex (NAC). The purpose of this study in a porcine model was to show adequate redirection of NAC perfusion by neoangiogenesis through circumareolar scars. METHODS: Delayed two-staged NSM was simulated in 52 nipples (six pigs) with a 60-day interval. The nipples underwent a full-thickness, circumareolar incision onto the muscular fascia, with preservation of underlying glandular perforators. After 60 days, NSM was performed through a radial incision. A silicone sheet was introduced in the mastectomy plane to prevent NAC revascularization by wound bed imbibition. Digital color imaging was used to assess necrosis. Near-infrared fluorescence with indocyanine green was used to assess perfusion patterns and perfusion in real time. RESULTS: No NAC necrosis was seen after 60 days' delay in any nipples. In all nipples, indocyanine green angiography showed complete alteration of the NAC vascular perfusion pattern from subjacent gland to a capillary fill following devascularization, exhibiting a predominant arteriolar capillary blush without distinct larger vessels. CONCLUSIONS: NAC delay reverses glandular perfusion to adequate dermal neovascularization. Neovascularization through full-thickness scars provides sufficient dermal perfusion after 60 days' delay. Identical staged delay in humans may be a surgically safe NSM option and could broaden therapeutic NSM indications in difficult breasts. Large clinical trials are necessary to provide identical results in human breasts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: NAC delay reverses glandular perfusion to adequate dermal neovascularization. Neovascularization through full-thickness scars provides sufficient dermal perfusion after 60 days of delay. Identical staged delay in humans may be a surgically safe NSM option.

Delayed two-stage nipple sparing mastectomy and simultaneous expander-to-implant reconstruction of the large and ptotic breast.

Background: Large and ptotic breasts are considered an anatomical contraindication for nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM). Necrosis rates can be as high as 76%. The authors examined whether targeted preshaping mastopexy/reduction combined with simultaneous two-stage preshaping of the implant pocket prepares for an uneventful implant reconstruction. Methods: Macromastia and ptosis patients opting for risk-reducing NSM or having a peripherally localized carcinoma in situ, were offered a two-stage mastopexy/reduction simultaneously with preshaping of the implant pocket by subpectoral expansion. Only the inferior pedicle bearing the nipple-areola complex (NAC), remained. A delayed secondary NSM and tissue expander-to-implant reconstruction was scheduled 3 months later. The use of an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) was not necessary because the capsule around the expander created a hammock supporting the definite prosthesis. Follow up was at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Results: Forty-one procedures were performed in 24 patients. The mean age was 45±12.08 years (range, 22 to 72 years). Patients' mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.79 kg/m2 (range, 19 to 35 kg/m2). One patient had diabetes and two smoked. One transient epidermolysis of the NAC occurred in each stage. No NAC or skin necrosis occurred; no implant had to be removed. Conclusions: A two-stage mastopexy/reduction, simultaneously with preshaping of the implant pocket by tissue expansion and followed by a 3-month delayed secondary NSM with tissue expander-to-implant reconstruction is a safe technique in large ptotic breasts.

Autologous fat transfer for hand rejuvenation: A systematic review on technique and outcome.

Background: Age-related changes to the dorsum of the hand present as dyschromia, soft-tissue atrophy, and volume loss, resulting in wrinkles and prominent deep structures. Volume augmentation by means of autologous fat transfer (AFT) is one of the options to rejuvenate the hand; theoretically, autologous fat is the ideal filler because of durability and biocompatibility. Objective: This systematic review aims to summarize and describe the current evidence on the technique, effectiveness, and safety of AFT in hand rejuvenation. Methods: Three major databases, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, were systematically searched up to November 2020 for studies reporting on AFT and hand rejuvenation. Results: A total of 10 articles were included, reporting on a total of 320 patients treated by AFT to improve the aesthetic appearance of the dorsum of the hand. Some degree of postoperative oedema was present in nearly all patients. Other complications were infection (0.67%), cysts/irregularities (1.3%), temporary dysesthesia (5.3%), and ecchymosis (7%). There were no major complications. Of all patients, 97.6% self-reported to be satisfied with the result. Conclusions: Overall, by combining the current evidence, AFT is considered a promising and safe technique to rejuvenate the aging hand with very high patient satisfaction. Future research, using validated patient questionnaires, objective volumetric measurements, and longer follow-up, is needed to confirm these results. Level of Evidence: 3.

Breast reconstruction after nipple-sparing mastectomy in the large and/or ptotic breast: A systematic review of indications, techniques, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons remain reluctant to perform nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) in large breasts due to a higher risk of necrosis. We performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate indications, techniques, and outcomes in immediate or delayed breast reconstructions in large and/or ptotic breasts. METHODS: The following search terms were used for both titles and key words: [NSM AND ("breast ptosis" OR "ptotic breast" OR "large breast" OR "breast hypertrophy" OR "gigantomastia")]. All forms of breast reconstruction in large and/or ptotic breasts from 1990 through September 1st 2018 reporting indications, techniques, and outcomes were included. RESULTS: Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, yielding 1128 NSMs (709 immediate and 419 delayed) in 629 patients for analysis. The overall complication rate was 29.08%. The mastectomy flap necrosis rate was 12%, the partial nipple-areola complex (NAC) necrosis 11%, and the complete NAC rate 11%. The overall complication rate in one-stage versus delayed reconstructions was 37.52% versus 14.8%. The incidence of necrosis in one-stage versus delayed reconstructions was 5.36% versus 2.15% for partial, 5.08% versus 0.48% for complete NAC necrosis, and 4.8% versus 1.43% for skin flap necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of studies being small and retrospective as well as the large variation in outcomes indicates that we lack consensus on the timing of reconstruction or ideal technique. A noticeable difference in skin flap and NAC necrosis, however, is seen in the favor of NAC-delayed procedures. Randomized controlled trials are mandatory to prove this difference significantly.

Dynamic Infrared Thermography (DIRT) in DIEP flap breast reconstruction: A clinical study with a standardized measurement setup.

OBJECTIVE: Breast reconstructions with perforator flaps from the lower abdomen, commonly known as Deep Inferior Epigastric artery Perforator flap (DIEP-flap), have become the golden standard for autologous breast reconstruction after breast amputation. During this surgical procedure multiple challenging steps are encountered such as the selection of a suitable perforator that provides sufficient blood supply for the flap, surgical dissection of the chosen perforator, determination of perfusion area of the chosen perforator, microsurgical anastomosis, flap inset and shaping the flap into a breast. The current gold standard for perforator mapping is Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA). However, this is a relatively expensive imaging modality that requires intravenous contrast injection and exposes patients to ionizing radiation. More recently, Dynamic Infrared Thermography (DIRT) has been proposed as an alternative imaging modality for perforator identification. DIRT appears to be an ideal alternative technique not only for the identification of the dominant perforators, but also for the mapping of the individual influence of each perforator on the flap perfusion, to monitor integrity of the perforator after dissection and to monitor the patency of the pedicle of the free flap after the anastomosis, during flap inset and flap shaping. STUDY DESIGN: In this clinical study we present the results of the use of DIRT in 33 DIEP-flaps in 21 patients after mastectomy. The same standardized measurement set-up was used for all the flaps in the pre-, intra- and postoperative period. RESULTS: In the pre-operative period DIRT confirmed the location of the 69 perforators shown on the CTA. In the intra-operative period the rate and pattern of rewarming was successfully observed. One perforator was severely damaged during dissection and the DIEP flap was converted to a Muscle Sparing free Transverse Rectus Abdominis Muscle (TRAM) flap, after viability check of the flap by DIRT. DIRT diagnosed one kinking of the pedicle after microsurgical anastomosis. Two flaps were monitored successfully post-operatively. All 33 breast reconstructions were with good outcome. CONCLUSION: The use of DIRT with our standardized measurement setup is a useful, non-invasive tool during breast reconstructions with free DIEP-flaps in all the phases of the reconstruction (pre-, intra- and post-operative). This study confirms that DIRT with the standardized measurement setup provides information on perforator location, blood supply and patency of the anastomosis without interference with the operating surgeon.

Ewing's sarcoma of the sternum necessitating complex resection and reconstruction.

We present a 30-year-old man with a sternal Ewing's sarcoma, who was treated by complex resection of the sternal body and reconstruction by a methyl methacrylate sandwich graft and a pedicled latissimus dorsi flap.

Dynamic InfraRed Thermography (DIRT) in DIEP-flap breast reconstruction: A review of the literature.

In the industrialised world still 34% of the breast cancer patients are surgically treated by a mastectomy. Breast cancer patients in general have a good prognosis and a long-term survival. Therefore, it is important that the treatment doesn't focus only on survival but also on the quality of life. Breast reconstruction improves the quality of life. A breast reconstruction with an autologous free DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric artery Perforator) flap is one of the preferred options after mastectomy. A challenging step in this procedure is the selection of a suitable perforator that provides sufficient blood supply for the flap. Current techniques to locate the perforator vessels include handheld Doppler, colour Doppler ultrasound (CDU), Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computer tomographic angiography (CTA) and dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT). At present CTA is the golden standard and DIRT a new option. The objective of this article is to document whether DIRT can accurately map the position of the perforators and measure their influence on the perfusion of the flap in order to select the best perforators to improve the outcome of breast reconstructions with free DIEP flaps. A systematic review of the literature published between January 1998 and November 23th 2018 was conducted regarding the possible benefit of dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) in DIEP-flap breast reconstructions. The databases PubMed and Web of Science were used to search for qualified articles. Inclusion criteria were women who underwent a breast reconstruction by means of a DIEP flap where DIRT was used to analyse the blood supply of the flap. The search yielded a total of fourteen suitable articles: six articles being descriptive clinical studies, three case reports, three expert opinions/Overview articles and two systematic reviews. There are only a limited number of studies looking at the use of DIRT in breast reconstruction with DIEP-flaps. Adequate identification of the dominate vessel(s) in DIEP reconstruction is essential for a successful outcome. DIRT appears to be an ideal alternative technique for the identification of the dominant perforators of the flap. With the use of DIRT it is possible to identify the dominant vessel(s) preoperatively. The use of DIRT during the operation allows the tailoring of the surgery and postoperative use may identify vascularisation problems in an early stage. Additional high-quality studies are needed, but DIRT seems to be a valuable investigation for the pre-, per- and postoperative phase of DIEP-flap reconstructions.

Dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction: standardization of the measurement set-up.

Breast reconstruction with an autologous free Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap is one of the preferred options following mastectomy. A challenging step in this procedure is the selection of a suitable perforator that provides sufficient blood supply for the flap. The current golden standard for perforator mapping is computed tomography angiography (CTA). However, this is a relatively expensive imaging modality that requires intravenous contrast injection and exposes patients to ionizing radiation. More recently, dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) has been proposed as an alternative imaging modality for perforator identification. DIRT appears to be an ideal alternative technique not only for the identification of the dominant perforators, but also for the mapping of the individual influence of each perforator on the flap perfusion. Multiple studies have been performed with the use of DIRT, unfortunately without standardisation of the measurement set-up. In this technical note we propose a standardised and reproducible measurement set-up for the use of DIRT during breast reconstructions with a free DIEP flap. This set-up can be used pre-, intra- and postoperatively. A standardised measurement set-up will improve the quality of measured data and ensure reproducibility.

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Reconstructive surgery aims to improve quality of life by recreating a natural-looking breast that is warm to the touch. To obtain symmetry and body contour alignment, restoration of volume within the skin envelope is mandatory. The chosen reconstruction technique depends on the characteristics of the diseased breast, the shape and volume of the contralateral breast, and the technical skills of the surgical team. Timing, type and different possibilities of breast reconstruction are discussed.

Breast reconstruction after breast conservation therapy for breast cancer.

Conservative breast surgery followed by irradiation, often referred to as Breast conserving therapy (BCT), has replaced modified radical mastectomy for the treatment of early stage invasive breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). About 10% to 40% of the patients treated with BCT have poor cosmetic outcome results. Small tumours in large breasts can be successfully treated by lumpectomy and radiotherapy, with good cosmetic outcome. However when the tumour breast ratio is higher, the cosmetic outcome can be very disappointing. A surgical conflict arises between optimal oncologic resection and the desire to spare as much tissue as possible to minimize the risk of deformities. In case of a small defect lipofilling can be performed. This technique transplants fat grafts from a donor site to the defect in the breast. In case of larger defects there is the option of oncoplastic surgery. Oncoplastic techniques combine the optimal oncological resection with an adequate reconstruction for optimal cosmetic outcome. Oncoplastic techniques allow the breast surgeon to perform a tumour resection with adequate margins and the plastic surgeon will reconstruct the defect during the same procedure for optimal cosmetic outcome. The use of oncoplastic techniques to reconstruct defects of partial mastectomies (BCT) can be immediate, delayed or immediate delayed. Current breast cancer treatment leads to long-term surivival. It it there for important not only to survive but also life. Therefore the quality of life and good cosmetic outcome is mandatory after breast cancer treatment. Oncoplastic surgery is based on two techniques: volume displacement and volume replacement. The volume displacement techniques use (dermo)glandular flaps of the breast to fill the resection defect. Volume displacement techniques ideally work when the tumour resection can be incorporated in a breast reduction pattern. A similar technique is used on the contralateral breast to match size and shape. The volume replacement techniques use autologous non-breast tissues to compensate the volume loss after tumour resection. Volume replacement techniques are used when a large resection volume is needed in a small breast. Depending on the location and size of the defect many different flaps can be used for partial breast reconstruction.

Prophylactic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy and a Staged Breast Reconstruction Technique: Preliminary Results.

More high-risk women with breast cancer are identified using genetic testing at a younger age. These young women often opt for prophylactic surgery. Most patients are reluctant for extra donor-site scars besides infections and necrosis. In order to reduce these risks, a two-stage breast reconstruction technique is used for high-risk women with large or ptotic breasts. We presume that this procedure will reduce the risk of skin envelope and nipple-areola complex (NAC) necrosis to less than 1%. In the first stage, an inferior pedicle reduction is performed to obtain large volume reduction with maximal safety for the NAC. The ptosis, skin excess, and malpositioning of the NAC are corrected safely at this stage. In the second stage, the skin-sparing mastectomy is performed with or without nipple sparing. During this procedure, the areola is never removed. A bilateral breast reconstruction is then performed with an immediate subpectoral prothesis or delayed with the use of a subpectoral tissue expander. In this way, we aim to meet the patient's wish to undergo bilateral risk reducing mastectomy in breasts that need ptosis correction without donor-site scarring. This article describes the procedure and reports the preliminary data.