Trends in Post‐Mastectomy Reconstruction in an Asian Population: A 12‐Year Institutional Review

Post‐mastectomy breast reconstruction is an integral component of breast cancer treatment. It is often perceived that women in Asian countries have a lower rate of post‐mastectomy reconstruction than Western populations. This study describes trends in timing and types of breast reconstruction performed in the largest healthcare provider in Singapore, over a period of 12 years. It also reports on the oncological outcomes and surgical safety. A retrospective review of all patients who underwent post‐mastectomy reconstruction from January 2001 to December 2012 at the National Cancer Centre Singapore and Singapore General Hospital was performed. Six hundred and twenty post‐mastectomy reconstructions were performed in 579 patients. The proportion of reconstructions increased from 4% in 2001 to 18% in 2012. Younger patients (<50 years old) and those with early stage cancer were more likely to undergo reconstruction. Immediate breast reconstruction was favored by more than 90% of patients. Postoperatively, 9% developed acute surgical complications that were treated surgically; 6% had additional surgery for late complications. Only 4% had delay of adjuvant chemotherapy. At median follow‐up of 63 months (range 3–166), loco‐regional recurrence was 4%, and distant metastases 8%. Post‐mastectomy reconstruction for breast cancer is increasingly performed in our institution. Both younger age and lower stage disease were associated with choice for reconstruction in our study. Low rates of delay to adjuvant therapy were noted, and it may safely be offered to suitable women undergoing mastectomy.     

Oncoplastic breast consortium recommendations for mastectomy and whole breast reconstruction in the setting of post-mastectomy radiation therapy

AimDemand for nipple- and skin- sparing mastectomy (NSM/SSM) with immediate breast reconstruction (BR) has increased at the same time as indications for post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) have broadened. The aim of the Oncoplastic Breast Consortium initiative was to address relevant questions arising with this clinically challenging scenario.MethodsA large global panel of oncologic, oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgeons, patient advocates and radiation oncologists developed recommendations for clinical practice in an iterative process based on the principles of Delphi methodology.ResultsThe panel agreed that surgical technique for NSM/SSM should not be formally modified when PMRT is planned with preference for autologous over implant-based BR due to lower risk of long-term complications and support for immediate and delayed-immediate reconstructive approaches. Nevertheless, it was strongly believed that PMRT is not an absolute contraindication for implant-based or other types of BR, but no specific recommendations regarding implant positioning, use of mesh or timing were made due to absence of high-quality evidence. The panel endorsed use of patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice. It was acknowledged that the shape and size of reconstructed breasts can hinder radiotherapy planning and attention to details of PMRT techniques is important in determining aesthetic outcomes after immediate BR.ConclusionsThe panel endorsed the need for prospective, ideally randomised phase III studies and for surgical and radiation oncology teams to work together for determination of optimal sequencing and techniques for PMRT for each patient in the context of BR     

The evolution of adjuvant radiation therapy for early‐stage and locally advanced breast cancer

Adjuvant radiation therapy is often delivered after breast cancer surgery, both in the post‐lumpectomy and post‐mastectomy settings. Standard fractionation whole breast irradiation (SF‐WBI), which is typically delivered over 5‐7 weeks, was previously considered the standard of care. More recent data has helped to establish hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (HF‐WBI), which consists of a 3‐4 week regimen, as a new standard of care. This article provides an overview of the major randomized trials that support the routine use of HF‐WBI for the majority of patients undergoing breast‐conserving surgery for early‐stage breast cancer. Newer data on the use of a hypofractionated approach in the post‐mastectomy setting, as well as ongoing randomized trials addressing this topic, are also discussed.     

Mammillary fistula revisited: Implications for immediate breast reconstruction

We present two patients with inverted nipples who underwent bilateral nipple‐sparing mastectomies (NSM) with immediate placement of tissue expanders with acellular dermal matrix (ADM). Both were complicated by postoperative infection and developed mammillary fistulae from the nipple into the breast capsule, and eroding through the ADM. For the first time, we report inverted nipples as a risk for the iatrogenic formation of mammillary fistulae and their infectious implications after NSM.     

经乳晕环形切口皮下乳腺切除与即刻腹直肌肌皮瓣再造术

目的　为完善和提高再造乳房的质量 ,使患早期乳腺癌的病人更容易接受乳房再造手术。方法　选择患乳腺导管内原位癌的病人 ,经乳晕切口活检做病理检查确立诊断 ,采用乳晕环形切口行保留乳房皮肤的乳腺皮下切除术 ,应用腹直肌肌皮瓣即刻再造乳房 ,仅以少量的肌皮瓣皮肤弥补切除的乳头、乳晕 ,在此皮瓣上再造乳头 ,经文身使乳头、乳晕色泽与健侧一致。结果　此方法再造的乳房瘢痕较少 ,且隐蔽 ,外观形态自然 ,易与健侧对称 ,保留了乳房皮肤的良好感觉 ,但手术适应证选择要严格 ,以免术后乳腺癌复发 ,术中切除乳腺需彻底但又不能损伤乳房皮肤和皮下组织 ,其过程需多专科协作完成。结论　在严格选择手术适应证的前提下 ,经多专科协作完成的该术式 ,为一更加完善的乳房再造方法     

67例保留皮肤的乳腺癌根治术单囊假体植入即刻再造

目的回顾性总结保留皮肤的乳腺癌根治术后即时应用单囊假体植入再造乳房的经验。探讨手术适应证、方法和效果的改进。方法67例患者先行保留皮肤的乳腺癌根治术,然后同时植入单囊假体再造乳房。结果所有患者随访48个月。2例出现轻微并发症即1例皮瓣局部坏死,1例保留乳头乳晕部分坏死。优良率达97%。结论乳腺癌根治术后单囊假体植入适用于健侧乳房较小的患者,手术操作简单,假体植入近期效果好,可基本满足患者日常需要。     

保留乳头乳晕乳腺全切除术后Ⅰ期假体植入10例报告

目的探讨保留乳头乳晕的乳腺全切除术后Ⅰ期乳房重建的适应证、方法、效果及可行性。方法东南大学附属中大医院2009年1月到2010年10月对10例病人行保留乳头乳晕的乳腺全切术及Ⅰ期假体植入的乳房重建术,术后从客观和主观两个角度评价美容效果,观察其并发症及随访治疗效果。结果所有病人手术成功。术后早期,2例出现轻微并发症,予以对症治疗后痊愈。术后随访6～18个月,主、客观评价的优良率均为100%。其中7例乳腺癌病人局部无复发,远处无转移。结论保留乳头乳晕的乳腺全切术后Ⅰ期乳房重建术的手术操作简单易行,美容效果好,无严重并发症,且不影响乳腺疾病的治疗。     

胸大肌包裹假体置入一期乳房重建在保留皮肤的乳癌根治术中的应用

目的：探讨保留皮肤的乳腺癌改良根治术一期胸大肌包裹假体置入乳房重建的可行性。方法：对28例0、I、II期乳腺癌患者行保留皮肤的乳腺癌改良根治术后,同期于胸大肌后方置入硅胶假体重建乳房,并根据冰冻切片检查结果决定是否保留乳头乳晕复合体。结果：28例早期乳腺癌患者均保留了乳头乳晕复合体,术后随访2～18个月,外观良好,双侧乳房对称,优良率达96.5%。所有病例均无局部复发或远处转移,无明显术后并发症。结论：保留皮肤的乳腺癌改良根治术后用硅胶假体行一期乳房重建,能达到满意的乳房美容效果,是治疗早期乳腺癌安全可行的方法。     

Patterns of breast reconstruction in patients diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer: The Dana‐Farber Cancer Institute's Inflammatory Breast Cancer Program experience

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) exhibits dermal lymphatic involvement at presentation, and thus, the standard surgical approach is a nonskin‐sparing modified radical mastectomy (MRM) without breast reconstruction (BR). In this study, we evaluated immediate and delayed BR receipt and its outcomes in IBC. Using an IRB‐approved database, we retrospectively evaluated stage III IBC patients who received trimodality therapy (preoperative systemic therapy, followed by MRM and postmastectomy chest wall/regional nodal radiation). Patients with an insufficient response to preoperative systemic therapy and/or who required preoperative radiotherapy were excluded. BR receipt, timing, and morbidity were evaluated. Among 240 stage III IBC patients diagnosed between 1997 and 2016, 40 (17%) underwent BR. Thirteen (33%) had immediate, and 27 (67%) had delayed BR. Four patients had complications (1 [8%] immediate BR and 3 [11%] delayed BR); only 1 BR (delayed) was unsuccessful. From the MRM date, the median time to recurrence was 35 months (<1‐212) and median overall survival was 87 months (<1‐212). In this cohort of stage III IBC patients, only 11% pursued delayed BR following trimodality therapy, possibly attributable to the observed high recurrence rates hindering BR. Further studies addressing BR outcomes in IBC are needed for better counseling patients regarding their reconstructive options.     

Update on one-stage immediate breast reconstruction with definitive prosthesis after sparing mastectomies

Immediate breast reconstruction after skin and nipple-sparing mastectomies is commonly performed as a two-stage procedure; to overcome the paradox of traditional two-stage tissue expander/implant reconstruction used to create a tight muscular pocket that needs expansion to produce lower pole fullness, while losing the laxity of the mastectomy skin flaps, the authors conceived a subpectoral-subfascial pocket by elevating the major pectoral muscle in continuity with the superficial pectoralis fascia up to the inframammary fold. This alteration allowed for the immediate insertion of the definitive implant.The authors present their experience in 220 cases of immediate one-stage breast reconstructions with definitive prostheses in sparing mastectomies. Immediate and long-term local complications were evaluated. Immediate breast reconstruction with definitive anatomical silicone-filled implants can produce excellent cosmetic results (78.6%) with a low rate of complications (17.7%); these results allow for agreement between oncologic, aesthetic and economic purposes.     

The Lateral Inframammary Fold Incision for Nipple‐Sparing Mastectomy: Outcomes from Over 50 Immediate Implant‐Based Breast Reconstructions

Nipple‐sparing mastectomy (NSM) as a therapeutic or prophylactic procedure for breast cancer is rapidly gaining popularity as the literature continues to support it safety. The lateral inframammary fold (IMF) approach provides adequate exposure and eliminates visible scars on the anterior surface of the breast, making this incision cosmetically superior to radial or periareolar approaches. We reviewed 55 consecutive NSMs performed through a lateral IMF incision with immediate implant‐based reconstruction, with or without tissue expansion, between June 2008 and June 2011. Prior to incision, breasts were lightly infiltrated with dilute anesthetic solution with epinephrine. Sharp dissection, rather than electrocautery, was used as much as possible to minimize thermal injury to the mastectomy flap. When indicated, acellular dermal matrix was placed as an inferolateral sling. Subsequent fat grafting to correct contour deformities was performed in select patients. Three‐dimensional (3D) photographs assessed changes in volume, antero‐posterior projection, and ptosis. Mean patient age was 46 years, and mean follow‐up time was 12 months. Twelve mastectomies (22%) were therapeutic, and the remaining 43 (78%) were prophylactic. Seven of the nine sentinel lymph node biopsies (including one axillary dissection) (78%) were performed through the lateral IMF incision without the need for a counter‐incision. Acellular dermal matrix was used in 34 (62%) breasts. Average permanent implant volume was 416 cc (range 176–750 cc), and average fat grafting volume was 86 cc (range 10–177 cc). In one patient a positive intraoperative subareolar biopsy necessitated resection of the nipple‐areola complex (NAC), and in two other patients NAC resection was performed at a subsequent procedure based on the final pathology report. Mastectomy flap necrosis, requiring operative debridement, occurred in two breasts (4%), both in the same patient. One of these breasts required a salvage latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to complete the reconstruction. Three nipples (6%) required office debridement for partial necrosis and operative reconstruction later. No patient had complete nipple necrosis. No statistically significant differences existed between therapeutic and prophylactic mastectomies for developing partial skin and/or nipple necrosis (p = 0.35). Three episodes (5%) of cellulitis occurred, which responded to antibiotics without the need for explantation. Morphological outcomes using 3D scan measurements showed reconstructed breasts were larger, more projected, and less ptotic than the preoperative breasts (196 versus 248 cc, 80 versus 90 mm, 146 versus 134 mm, p < 0.01 for each parameter). Excellent results can be achieved with immediate implant‐based reconstruction of NSM through a lateral IMF incision. NAC survival is reliable, and complication rates are low. blechmanplasticsurgery.com     

Prediction of pathological margin status using preoperative contrast‐enhanced MRI in patients with early breast cancer who underwent skin‐sparing mastectomy

Skin‐sparing mastectomy (SSM) with immediate reconstruction is standard surgical treatment for early breast cancer with widespread ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The local recurrence rate after SSM is up to 7.0%. We investigated prediction of the pathological margin using contrast‐enhanced MRI, and evaluated the cut‐off point to obtain the safety margin. We performed SSM with immediate reconstruction in 216 early breast cancer patients with widespread DCIS and/or invasive cancer from January 2014 to December 2015. Forty cases were retrospectively reviewed after excluding those with >15 mm between skin and tumor, determined by preoperative contrast‐enhanced MRI, or involving reconstructive surgery for local recurrence, immeasurable lesion by preoperative contrast‐enhanced MRI, or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We defined a positive pathological margin as <1 mm from the cancer nest. We reviewed the distance between skin and tumor by MRI and pathological examination. To identify the cut‐off for predicting a positive pathological margin, we performed sensitivity analysis using an ROC curve. The margin‐positive rate by pathological examination was 27.5% (n = 11/40), with a moderate correlation of MRI margin and pathological margin (r = 0.44). The best cut‐off point for margin positivity was 5 mm of MRI margin, with sensitivity and specificity of 54% and 86%, respectively (P = 0.009). This is the first prediction of pathological margin by preoperative contrast‐enhanced MRI in early breast cancer patients with SSM. Care is required for SSM if the MRI margin is less than 5 mm due to pathological margin positivity.     

Delayed‐immediate hybrid breast reconstruction—Increasing patient input and precision in breast reconstruction

The benefits of breast reconstruction via free tissue transfer with simultaneous implant placement, that is, hybrid breast reconstruction, in select patients are well‐known. Challenges exist, however, and are related to proper implant selection as well as postoperative mastectomy skin necrosis. Here, the authors present an approach that increases reconstructive precision while minimizing postoperative mastectomy skin necrosis. A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent immediate prepectoral tissue expander placement (stage 1) followed by delayed‐immediate hybrid breast reconstruction (stage 2) was performed. Parameters of interest included patient demographics, postoperative complications, and revision rates. A total of 31 patients with a mean age of 48.7 years (range, 30‐67 years) and a mean BMI of 26.3 kg/m² (range, 21.0‐35.3 kg/m²) who underwent bilateral breast reconstruction were included. Of the 62 free abdominal flaps, 45 (72.6%) and 17 (27.4%) were MS‐TRAM and DIEP flaps, respectively. The most common implant volume was 240 cc (range, 140‐445 cc). Following stage 1, minor and major complications were observed in nine (29%) and one (3.2%) patients, respectively. No major complications were noted after stage 2. Of note, no patient developed mastectomy skin necrosis or requested a change in implant size following stage 2. Delayed‐immediate hybrid breast reconstruction improves the ability to more precisely match patient expectations related to breast size and is associated with a reduction in the rate of mastectomy skin necrosis following the critical second stage of reconstruction.