Autologous Fat Grafting as a Stand-alone Method for Immediate Breast Reconstruction After Radical Mastectomy in a Series of 15 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To date, breast reconstruction after mastectomy essentially uses flap- or prosthetic-based surgery. Autologous fat grafting (AFT) largely used in breast conservative surgery is considered an additional technique in breast reconstruction. The aim of this retrospective study was to report our experience of AFT as a stand-alone method for immediate breast reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients requiring a radical mastectomy underwent AFT for immediate reconstruction since 2014. Previous breast irradiation was not a contraindication. Procedures, complications, and cosmetic results were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with an average age of 60.5 (43-78) years were included in this retrospective study. They had a body mass index ranging from 19 to 40. Fourteen had a mastectomy for cancer and 1 for prophylaxis. Nine received breast irradiation (7 before surgery and 2 adjuvant). A mean of 3 (2-6) AFT procedures were required to achieve total breast reconstruction. Except for the first transfer, others were performed as outpatient surgeries. Only 2 minor complications (1 hematoma and 1 abscess) not impairing results were reported. The results after a mean follow-up of 26 months were considered by the patients and surgeon as highly satisfactory even in previously irradiated breast, as assessed using a qualitative scoring analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous fat grafting as a stand-alone method for immediate breast reconstruction after radical mastectomy is a safe procedure with very consistent results even for patients requiring radiation therapy.

Management of phyllodes breast tumors.

Phyllodes tumors are a rare distinctive fibroepithelial tumors of the breast and their management continues to be questioned. The aim of our study was to examine the treatment and outcome of 165 patients with phyllodes tumors and to review the options for surgical management. This is a retrospective study of 165 patients who presented to the Institut Curie between January 1994 and November 2008 for benign, borderline or malignant phyllodes tumors. The median follow-up was 12.65 months [range 0-149.8]. The median age at diagnosis was 44 years [range 17-79]. One hundred and sixty patients (97%) had breast-conserving treatment, of whom 3 patients (1.8%) had oncoplastic breast surgery. Younger women had a significantly higher chance of having a benign phyllodes tumor (p = 0.0001) or a tumor of small size (p < 0.0001). Histologic examination showed 114 benign (69%), 37 borderline (22%) and 14 malignant tumors (9%). The median tumor size was 30 mm [range 5-150]. The tumor margins were considered incomplete (< 10 mm) in 46 out of 165 cases (28%) with 52% revision surgery. Only the tumor grade was a significant risk factor for incomplete tumor margins (p = 0.005). Fifteen patients developed local recurrence (10%) and two, metastases. In univariate analysis, the histologic grade (p = 0.008), and tumor size (p = 0.02) were significative risk factors for local recurrence with an accentuated risk for "borderline" tumors and tumors of large size.).Similar results were obtained using multivariate analysis (p = 0.07). The mainstay of treatment for phyllodes tumors remains excision with a safe surgical margin, taking advantage breast conserving surgery where amenable. For borderline or malignant phyllodes tumors or in cases of local tumor recurrence, mastectomy, and immediate breast reconstruction may become the preferred option. Genetic analysis will potentially supplement classical histologic examination in order to improve our management of these tumors. The role of adjuvant treatments is unproven and must be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Breast Reconstruction Combining Lipofilling and Prepectoral Prosthesis after Radiotherapy.

Prosthetic reconstruction in previously irradiated breasts has been associated with a higher risk of complications. Here we describe the surgical and cosmetic outcome of our breast reconstruction process based on primary fat grafting combined with prosthetic placement. METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, 136 patients who underwent mastectomy and external chest wall radiotherapy between 2014 and 2018 were benefited from chest wall lipofilling and silicone implant placement were chosen. Patients were assessed for skin trophicity, thickness, and mobility and were allowed to undergo several lipofilling sessions before implant placement, if required. No patient had >3 lipofilling sessions. Cosmetic outcome was evaluated by the patient, surgeon, and nurse, using a Likert-type ordinal scale. RESULTS: We included 136 patients: 79 patients (58%) received only 1 session of lipofilling before implant placement, 33 (24.6%) had 2 sessions, and 24 (17.4%) had 3 sessions. The volume of the third lipofilling was significantly higher and the volume of the prosthesis of these patients was significantly lower than those of patients undergoing 1 or 2 lipofillings. Reconstruction failure rate was 2.2% (3 patients had explantation); however, all benefited from prosthesis reconstruction a year after the initial procedures. The average satisfaction score was 4.7 out of 5 as evaluated by patients, 4.8 out of 5 by surgeons, and 4.8 out of 5 by nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Primary lipofilling combined with prosthesis placement after radiotherapy is a reconstructive method that yields a satisfactory cosmetic outcome with a low complication rate. Such minimally invasive breast reconstruction approach can be an alternative to flap-based reconstruction.

Donor site sequelae after autologous breast reconstruction with an extended latissimus dorsi flap.

The indications for autologous reconstruction are increasing. The standard procedure is the transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap; however, this flap has contraindications and drawbacks. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap is simple and reliable. Hokin et al. demonstrated in 1983 that this flap can be extended and used for breast reconstruction without an implant. Since then, it has been widely studied in this setting and is known to provide good aesthetic results. Dorsal sequelae, conversely, were not appraised. The aim of this study was to assess objective and subjective dorsal sequelae after the harvest of an extended flap. Forty-three consecutive patients who had had breast reconstruction with an autologous latissimus dorsi flap were assessed by a surgeon and a physiotherapist for muscular strength and shoulder mobility. Patient opinion was studied through a questionnaire. Mean delay between the operation and the evaluation was 19 months. Early complications, mainly dorsal seromas, were frequent after the harvest of an extended flap (72 percent). There was no late morbidity and, especially, no flap loss or partial necrosis. As for functional results, 37 percent of the patients had complete adjustment and 70 to 87 percent demonstrated no change in shoulder strength. Sixty percent of the patients experienced no limitation in everyday life, and 90 percent said they would undergo this procedure again. The authors show that dorsal sequelae after an extended latissimus dorsi flap are minimal and that this technique compares favorably with the transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap.

The role of nipple-sparing mastectomy in breast cancer: a comprehensive review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The role of nipple-sparing mastectomy for breast cancer is controversial, as there is concern regarding its oncologic safety and complication rate. The authors reviewed the literature to quantify the incidence of occult nipple malignancy in breast cancer, identify the factors influencing occult nipple malignancy, quantify locoregional recurrence rates, and quantify nipple-sparing mastectomy complication rates. METHODS: A search of the literature was performed using PubMed. Key words used were "mastectomy," "nipple involvement," "nipple-sparing mastectomy," "skin-sparing mastectomy," "occult nipple malignancy," "occult nipple disease," and "breast cancer recurrence." Articles were analyzed regarding incidence of occult nipple malignancy, potential factors influencing the incidence of occult malignancy, and recurrence/complications following nipple-sparing mastectomy. The incidence of occult nipple disease was compared between groups using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and t tests for continuous variables. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The overall rate of occult nipple malignancy was 11.5 percent. Primary tumor characteristics influencing occult nipple malignancy were tumor-nipple distance less than 2 cm, grade, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-positive, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor-negative, tumor size greater than 5 cm, retroareolar/central location, and multicentric tumors. The overall nipple recurrence rate considered significant was 0.9 percent, and the skin flap recurrence rate was 4.2 percent. Full- and partial-thickness nipple necrosis rates were 2.9 and 6.3 percent, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Nipple-sparing mastectomy for primary breast cancer is appropriate in carefully selected patients. All patients should have retroareolar sampling. There is strong evidence to suggest that suitable cases are well circumscribed single or multifocal lesions that have a tumor-to-nipple distance greater than 2 cm. Tumors should be grade 1 to 2 and not have lymphovascular invasion, axillary node metastasis, or human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positivity.

Bilateral poly implant prothèse implant rupture: an uncommon presentation.

SUMMARY: A woman in her 50s underwent delayed bilateral Poly Implant Prothèse implant reconstruction following mastectomy for breast cancer. Symptoms of implant rupture developed 43 months after surgery with an erythematous rash on her trunk. The rash then spread to her reconstructed breast mounds. Initial ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance imaging were normal; however, subsequent magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated left implant rupture only. In theater, following removal of both implants, both were found to be ruptured. The rash on her trunk resolved within 3 weeks in the postoperative period. Chemical analyses of silicone in both implants confirmed a nonauthorized silicone source; in addition, the chemical structure was significantly different between the left and right implant, perhaps explaining the variation in presentation.

Skin lesions after prophylactic mastectomy and immediate reconstruction.

SUMMARY: Metastatic breast carcinoma can mimic benign cutaneous lesions. Breast surgeons should be aware of skin manifestations to be able to distinguish them and set a proper therapeutic strategy. A clinical case of cutaneous lesion after breast cancer is presented. A 41-year-old woman with a history of left breast cancer underwent a prophylactic right nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast implant reconstruction. After surgery, she attended our service due to a right periareolar rash resistant to medical treatment, accompanied by cutaneous induration and fixed axillary adenopathy. A differential diagnosis of skin metastases was considered. Cutaneous metastases should be the first diagnosis of skin lesions in oncological patients due to the implications in terms of treatment and prognosis. However, differential diagnoses have to be discussed.

From radical mastectomy to breast-conserving therapy and oncoplastic breast surgery: a narrative review comparing oncological result, cosmetic outcome, quality of life, and health economy.

Surgical management of breast cancer has evolved considerably over the last two decades. There has been a major shift toward less-invasive local treatments, from radical mastectomy to breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS). In order to investigate the efficacy of each of the three abovementioned methods, a literature review was conducted for measurable outcomes including local recurrence, survival, cosmetic outcome, quality of life (QOL), and health economy. From the point of view of oncological result, there is no difference between mastectomy and BCT in local recurrence rate and survival. Long-term results for OBS are not available. The items assessed in the QOL sound a better score for OBS in comparison with mastectomy or BCT. OBS is also associated with a better cosmetic outcome. Although having low income seems to be associated with lower BCT and OBS utilization, prognosis of breast cancer is worse in these women as well. Thus, health economy is the matter that should be studied seriously. OBS is an innovative, progressive, and complicated subspeciality that lacks published randomized clinical trials comparing surgical techniques and objective measures of outcome, especially from oncologic and health economy points of view.

The impact of poly implant prothèse fraud on breast cancer patients: a report by the institut curie.

In March of 2010, French authorities suspended the use of breast implants made by the company Poly Implant Prothèse. Institut Curie is a large cancer center, and Poly Implant Prothèse was one major silicone-filled breast implant brand used. This report describes the impact of the fraudulent implants worldwide and more specifically on patient care at the authors' unit. From 2002 to 2009, the median number of Poly Implant Prothèse implants removed per year was 32. Since the first alert in March of 2010, 252 of these breast implants were removed in 2010 and 2011. The breast implants removed were mainly reported as normal, with a rupture rate of less than 5 percent before 2008. However, the annual rupture rate has increased from 2008 to 2011 (8, 14, 20, and 23 percent, respectively). The Institut Curie, in conjunction with breast cancer patients, has organized a management plan to deal with this major industrial fraud. Its surveillance program of breast cancer patients facilitated the management of patients during this difficult time.

Reasons of not having breast reconstruction: a historical cohort of 1937 breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were to investigate the factors associated with not having breast reconstruction following mastectomy and to assess patient satisfaction with information on reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed a historical cohort of 1937 consecutive patients who underwent mastectomy at Institut Curie between January 2004 and February 2007. Their sociodemographic and clinicobiological characteristics were recorded in a prospective database. A questionnaire was sent to 10% of nonreconstructed patients. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with invasive cancer was 82.7%. The rate of nonreconstruction in patients with in situ and invasive cancer was 34.6% and 74.9%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, only employment outside the home was associated with reconstruction in patients with in situ cancer (p < 0.001). In patients with invasive cancer, employment status (p < 0.001) and smoking (p = 0.045) were associated with reconstruction, while age > 50, ASA score >1, radiotherapy (p < 0.0001) and metastatic status (p = 0.018) were associated with nonreconstruction. For 80% of questionnaire responders, nonreconstruction was a personal choice, mainly for the following reasons: refusal of further surgery, acceptance of body asymmetry, risk of complications and advanced age. Information on reconstruction was entirely unsatisfactory or inadequate for 62% of patients. CONCLUSION: Better understanding the factors that influence decision of nonreconstruction can help us adapt the information to serve the patient's personal needs.

Breast and ovarian cancer risk management in a French cohort of 158 women carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutation: patient choices and outcome.

Description of the various modalities of breast and ovarian cancer risk management, patient choices and their outcome in a single-center cohort of 158 unaffected women carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutation. Between 1998 and 2009, 158 unaffected women carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation were prospectively followed. The following variables were studied: general and gynecological characteristics, data concerning any prophylactic procedures, and data concerning the outcome of these patients. Median age at inclusion was 37 years and median follow-up was 54 months. Among the 156 women who received systematic information about prophylactic mastectomy, 5.3 % decided to undergo surgery within 36 months after disclosure of genetic results. Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy was performed in 68 women. Among women in whom follow-up started between the ages of 40 and 50 years, prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, within 24 months after start of follow-up, in 83.7 and 52 % of women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, respectively. Twenty four women developed breast cancer. Ovarian cancer was detected during prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy in two women (2.9 %). In this cohort of French women carrying BRCA1/2 mutations, prophylactic mastectomy was a rarely used option. However, good compliance with prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy was observed. This study confirms the high breast cancer risk in these women.

Oncoplastic breast surgery for cancer: analysis of 540 consecutive cases [outcomes article].

BACKGROUND: Synchronous plastic and oncological surgery is undertaken to improve the security of excision margins and yield high-quality aesthetic outcomes when conventional breast-conserving therapy either anticipates poor results or is not possible. METHODS: A total of 540 consecutive patients underwent primary oncoplastic breast surgery for cancer with high tumor-to-breast volume ratios and locations precluding a good aesthetic result with simple tumor excision. A variety of techniques were employed at the Institut Curie between 1986 and 2007, and aesthetic outcomes were assessed on a five-point scale from 1 (excellent) to 5 (poor). RESULTS: The median age was 52 years (range, 28 to 90 years), and median follow-up was 49 months (6 to 262 months). Median tumor size was 29.1 mm (range, 4 to 100 mm), with most patients (72.3 percent) having a brassiere cup size of B or C. Close or involved margins occurred in 18.9 percent, with mastectomy being necessary in 9.4 percent. A satisfactory aesthetic outcome (ratings of 1 to 3) at 5 years was obtained in 90.3 percent. Five-year overall and distant disease-free survival rates were 92.9 and 87.9 percent, respectively, with local recurrence in 6.8 percent. CONCLUSIONS: With local recurrence and survival rates similar to those for breast-conserving therapy, this series confirms the safety of oncoplastic breast surgery for tumors both high in volume and difficult in location. Highly satisfactory cosmetic outcomes extend the indications for conservative surgery, further reduce the mastectomy rate, and limit adverse aesthetic sequelae.

Management of the post-breast-conserving therapy defect: extended follow-up and reclassification.

BACKGROUND: Suboptimal aesthetic outcomes after conservative therapy for breast cancer are not uncommon, with reported rates up to 30 percent, of which 5 percent may be considered severe. With radiotherapy being an essential component of breast-conserving therapy, surgical correction of deformities is challenging, and guidance as to reparative technique selection is currently limited. METHODS: One hundred forty-one patients have undergone surgical correction of breast-conserving therapy-induced deformity since its inception at our institution in 1991. This consecutive series has been analyzed with respect to surgical procedure, complications, revisional surgery, and aesthetic outcome (with a five-point scale) to July of 2008. RESULTS: The overall aesthetic result was considered to be at least satisfactory in 94.5 percent at 1 year and in 88.8 percent at 5 years. Secondary surgery was required in 19.1 percent and a third procedure was required in 6.4 percent. Complications were encountered in 14.2 percent. A classification into five grades of deformity was found to be practical and effective for surgical planning. CONCLUSIONS: Reparative surgery for aesthetic deformity in scarred and irradiated breasts is able to produce satisfactory aesthetic results; however, revisional surgery and complications are not inconsiderable, and the authors hope the new classification based on their long-term experience will provide practical guidance for surgical planning to other surgeons encountering such patients.

Reconstruction after conservative treatment for breast cancer: cosmetic sequelae classification revisited.

Patients with suboptimal results following breast conservative therapy are presenting more frequently to plastic surgeons as a difficult management problem. A three-type "cosmetic sequelae classification" is proposed to evaluate and manage these patients. From February of 1991 to November of 2001, 85 patients were treated for cosmetic sequelae of breast conservative therapy at the Institut Curie. The patients were followed up prospectively for 6 to 132 months (median, 33 months). They were assessed with regard to age, site and stage of tumor, type of initial breast conservative therapy undertaken, corrective operative procedures performed, complications, and cosmetic results. Forty-eight patients (56.5 percent) had type 1 cosmetic sequelae, 33 patients (38.8 percent) had type 2, and four patients (4.7 percent) had type 3. Type 1 was managed by contralateral symmetrizing procedures. Type 2 was the most difficult to manage by means of various procedures. Type 3 required mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. Type 1 had 97.6 percent good results compared with 82.7 percent for type 2. Three of the four type 3 patients had good results. This article reaffirms the validity of the cosmetic sequelae classification as a simple, practical guide for breast reconstructive surgeons. It discusses the various choices of reconstructive procedures available, the importance of preventing these cosmetic sequelae, and the role of the plastic surgeon in the planning of conservative treatment of breast cancers.

Oncoplastic techniques allow extensive resections for breast-conserving therapy of breast carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the oncologic and cosmetic outcomes in women with breast carcinoma who were treated with breast-conserving therapy using oncoplastic techniques with concomitant symmetrization of the contralateral breast. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although breast-conserving therapy is the standard form of treatment for invasive breast tumors up to 4 cm, in patients with large, ill-defined, or poorly situated tumors, cosmetic results can be poor and clear resection margins difficult to obtain. The integration of oncoplastic techniques with a concomitant contralateral symmetrization procedure is a novel surgical approach that allows wide excisions and prevents breast deformities. METHODS: This is a prospective study of 101 patients who were operated on for breast carcinoma between July 1985 and June 1999 at the Institut Curie. The procedure was proposed for patients in whom conservative treatment was possible on oncologic grounds but where a standard lumpectomy would have led to poor cosmesis. Standard institutional treatment protocols were followed. All patients received either pre- or postoperative radiotherapy. Seventeen patients received preoperative chemotherapy to downsize their tumors. Mean follow-up was 3.8 years. Results were analyzed statistically using Kaplan-Meier estimates. RESULTS: Mean weight of excised material on the tumor side was 222 g. The actuarial 5-year local recurrence rate was 9.4%, the overall survival rate was 95.7%, and the metastasis-free survival rate was 82.8%. Cosmesis was favorable in 82% of cases. Preoperative radiotherapy resulted in worse cosmesis than when given postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of oncoplastic techniques and concomitant symmetrization of the contralateral breast allows extensive resections for conservative treatment of breast carcinoma and results in favorable oncologic and esthetic outcomes. This approach might be useful in extending the indications for conservative therapy.