Immediate reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer does not prolong the time to starting adjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: Immediate breast reconstruction is often performed after mastectomy for breast cancer. There has been concern that this will result in a delay in initiating chemotherapy and, as a consequence, may adversely impact survival. In this study we sought to determine whether immediate breast reconstruction affects the interval between surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: A single institution retrospective analysis was made using the institutional tumor registry and chart reviews. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were identified who had undergone mastectomy with immediate reconstruction followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. They were compared with 308 patients undergoing mastectomy without reconstruction. Patients who underwent reconstruction were overall younger (46 versus 55, P <0.001), and had more advanced disease. The time to chemotherapy was significantly longer in the group receiving no reconstruction: 53 versus 41 days (P = 0.039). The type of reconstruction did not affect the time to chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate reconstruction after mastectomy does not increase the time to chemotherapy compared with mastectomy alone.     

Immediate or delayed breast reconstruction after mastectomy: what do women really want

Breast reconstruction, especially immediate reconstruction after mastectomy has increased over the last decades, at present being regularly offered in many centres worldwide. Despite obvious benefits and the evident oncological safety of primary breast reconstruction, the majority of women still receive a delayed procedure or even no reconstructive surgery. The objective of the present study was to determine the preference of women for breast reconstruction—immediate or delayed—and in the case of rejection of treatment to find out the reasons for this reluctance. In a prospective study a sample of 200 women—divided into two groups—were evaluated by an oral interview on the subject. The two-formed groups of participants consisted of randomly chosen women (n=100) and non-surgical nurses (n=100). The questionnaire surveyed personal data including marital status and educational level, as well as information about the preferred timing, the method of and the reasons for or against breast reconstruction. The evaluation of all data showed that 66% of the participants voted for additional surgery after mastectomy. Young age and high education level were significantly correlated (age r=0.56, P<0.01; education r=0.25, P<0.01) to the wish for reconstruction. The mean age of all participants was 39 years (range 20–69), with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01), the group of nurses being younger (mean age 35, range 20–62) and the other women being older (mean age 43, range 20–69). Concerning the timing of reconstruction, 21% of women elected to have an immediate and 27% a delayed operation. Yet, 52% could not come to a decision as to whether they should prefer a primary or secondary procedure. For the surgical procedure—autologous versus non-autologous tissue—about 23% of the participants could not decide spontaneously, while 40% preferred autologous tissue, 14% implants and 23% would choose a combination of both. The main reason in favour of reconstruction was that it would enhance the physical appearance (96%), whereas an important reason for general rejection was the fear of additional surgical risk (19%). For primary reconstruction, a high percentage of women also were highly concerned that reconstruction could mask cancer recurrence (62%). Although the majority of women—unaffected with breast cancer—are interested in breast reconstruction, more than half of them cannot decide spontaneously about the timing and mode of surgery, including the medical women. The collected data emphasize the urgent necessity to systematically inform women and the whole population about the options of breast reconstruction. Equally important is for the involved surgeons to know the individual wishes and fears of women unexpectedly confronted with the diagnosis of breast cancer in order to provide comprehensive preoperative counselling with respect to cancer therapy including breast reconstruction.     

Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy for cancer

BACKGROUND: Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy has increased over the past decade following the unequivocal demonstration of its oncological safety and the availability of reliable methods of reconstruction. Broadly, it is undertaken in the treatment of breast cancer, after prophylactic mastectomy in high-risk patients, and in the management of treatment failure after breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy. Immediate breast reconstruction can be achieved reliably with a variety of autogenous tissue techniques or prosthetic devices. Careful discussion and evaluation remain vital in choosing the correct technique for the individual patient. METHODS: This review is based primarily on an English language Medline search with secondary references obtained from key articles. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Immediate breast reconstruction is a safe and acceptable procedure after mastectomy for cancer; there is no evidence that it has untoward oncological consequences. In the appropriate patient it can be achieved effectively with either prosthetic or autogenous tissue reconstruction. Patient selection is important in order to optimize results, minimize complications and improve quality of life, while simultaneously treating the malignancy. Close cooperation and collaboration between the oncological breast and reconstructive surgeons is desirable in order to achieve these objectives.     

Immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy is as safe as mastectomy alone

We evaluated wound complications and potential risk factors after mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction and compared them with similar data after modified radical mastectomy. The incidences of infection, seroma, hematoma, and epidermolysis were compared among 395 patients (305 with modified radical mastectomies and 90 with mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction) from Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Wash, between 1983 and 1989. Obesity, age (60 years or older), smoking, antibiotics, and wound drainage were examined as possible risk factors. There were more wound complications in the modified radical mastectomy group (48% vs 31%), and specifically, more seromas (30% vs 13%). In the modified radical mastectomy group, age of 60 years or older was associated with seroma and infection, drainage greater than 30 mL per day (at time of drain removal) with seroma, and smoking with epidermolysis. In the mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction group, obesity was associated with seroma and epidermolysis. We conclude that mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction appears to be as safe as modified radical mastectomy alone with respect to wound complications.     

Immediate autologous latissimus breast reconstruction after skin sparing mastectomy

A technique of immediate breast reconstruction, combining skin sparing mastectomy and autologous latissimus breast reconstruction, is presented. In this study, 50 patients underwent this procedure between May 1993 and May 1997. The most frequent indication (62%) was ductal carcinoma in situ (multifocal, high grade or larger than 3 cm). In 38% of cases, the patients had a contraindication to the TRAM flap; in the other cases (62%) the patients preferred the dorsal donor site to the abdominal site. Reduction of the contralateral breast was done in 20% of cases of unilateral reconstruction. The aesthetic results, evaluated by two others surgeons, were rated as very good in 88% of cases, good in 8% and poor in 4%. Study of patient satisfaction showed 84% of patients to be pleased, 12% satisfied and 4% poorly satisfied. Dorsal sequelae were rated as slight in 96% of cases, intermediate in 4% and marked in none. The main disadvantage was dorsal seroma which occurred in 62% of cases but was easily managed by repeated aspiration. No patient developed a local recurrence or distant metastases. This technique represents a significant advance in breast reconstruction, giving a breast of natural shape and consistency with no transverse scar or patch effect due to the flap. Received: 13 October 1997 / Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Immediate breast reconstruction after modified mastectomy for carcinoma of the breast

With the increased knowledge of breast cancer and its implications, many women are unwilling to accept the deformity that results from the surgical treatment of this disease. The acceptance of modified mastectomy as the procedure of choice in carcinoma of the breast has resulted in selected patients being offered rehabilitation by restoration of the breast contour at the time of definitive surgery or 6 months later. We believe that an immediate breast prosthesis after modified mastectomy for carcinoma of the breast is an acceptable procedure in selected patients. The two-team approach to this procedure as advocated by Halsted will provide the patient with a maximal cancer preventive operation with a minimum of mental and emotional anxiety.     

乳腺癌改良根治一期乳房再造术后近期并发症的探讨

目的:探讨乳腺癌根治一期乳房再造术后近期发生的并发症及其原因.方法:收集本院2006年2月～2007年12月32例乳腺癌改良根治一期乳房再造病例.全组病例行乳房改良根治术乳房再造方法:一期行单蒂下腹部横行腹直肌肌皮瓣(TRAM)移植术3例,背阔肌肌皮瓣移植和假体植入6例,单纯假体植入术12例,乳房扩张假体植入术11例.结果:中位随访时间14个月,1例乳房局部血肿,1例术后10个月发生腹部切口疝:边缘局部坏死7例,乳头乳晕发生部分坏死2例,其中1例皮瓣坏死范围大导致假体露出.并发症的总发生率34.4%(11/32).结论:乳腺癌行改良根治性手术一期乳房再造术后并发症发发生率较高.乳癌改良根治手术时,要注意皮瓣及乳头乳晕区切除的宽度和剥离皮瓣的厚度:移植皮瓣时要注意移植的肌肉组织血运是否完整和有无遗留的微小血管未结扎;乳房再造术仅植入扩张器者,因局部张力小,对皮瓣血运影响小,并发症发生率低.     

乳腺癌术后肌皮瓣重建术44例分析

目的:探讨乳腺癌术后一期乳房重建不同术式的疗效对比。方法:回顾分析本院2005年1月至2007年12月乳腺癌术后一期乳房再造44例。其中一期行背阔肌肌皮瓣移植者27例,横向腹直肌肌皮瓣移植者17例。结果:中位随访时间22.5个月,两种重建方式在客观效果评价、术后并发症和复发率方面均无统计学差异,但腹直肌肌皮瓣组的主观效果评价优于背阔肌肌皮瓣组(P=0.0462)。结论:背阔肌肌皮瓣和腹直肌肌皮瓣移植仍是目前乳房重建的常用术式。而腹直肌肌皮瓣重建与背阔肌皮瓣相比具有一定的优势。     

Immediate breast reconstruction with definitive anatomical implants after skin-sparing mastectomy.

One-stage breast reconstruction with definitive implants was the original method of breast reconstruction. It gave a round breast with a fixed shape. Lack of skin after mastectomy was the main concern who led to the development of techniques to provide 'new' breast skin such as autogenous reconstruction and tissue expanders. This made the use of definitive implants almost obsolete. Since skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) basically removes the mammary gland and the nipple-areolar complex preserving almost all mammary skin, it makes the use of definitive implants in immediate breast reconstruction possible again. Moreover, the advent of anatomically shaped implants overcomes the drawback of round shape: the anatomical implant with hyperprojected lower pole and short upper pole matches very well the profile of a real breast. The authors report their experience in 36 immediate breast reconstruction after SSM with short upper pole-hyperprojected silicone gel prostheses carried out between October 2001 and October 2003. In most cases SSM is performed through a circumareolar incision. Axillary dissection is preferably performed through the same incision. The anatomical implant is placed in a submuscular position superiorly and in a subfascial pocket inferiorly. Because of skin redundancy and easy distension of subfascial tissue in the inferior pole of the breast, the implant fills the skin of the inferior mammary pole without needing any skin expansion. Whenever possible, the skin incision is closed with a purse-string suture. The skin will look very wrinkled at the end of the surgery, but it will flatten out in a few weeks. The contralateral breast is simultaneously corrected, if needed. Outcome was assessed by evaluation of photographs performed by the authors, by the patients themselves and by a blinded group of surgeons who evaluated breast volume and shape, breast symmetry, and overall outcome. More than 90% of each of these parameters was scored as good or excellent. Complication rates was low with a 8.3% rate. The use of definitive implants in immediate breast reconstruction after SSM is a one-stage breast reconstruction with low morbidity and very good results, and it is associated with high level of patient and surgeon satisfaction.     

Changes in psychosocial functioning 1 year after mastectomy alone, delayed breast reconstruction, or immediate breast reconstruction

Background  

In this study, we report on the changes in psychosocial functioning over 1 year following breast cancer surgery in 3 groups of women, including those with mastectomy alone, those with mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, and those with delayed reconstruction.     

经皮下背阔肌肌瓣转移即刻乳房再造研究

目的探讨乳腺癌经皮下全乳腺体切除术后,采用部分背阔肌肌瓣转移、联合假体即刻乳房再造的临床价值。方法收集北京协和医院和天津医科大学附属肿瘤医院2006年1月至2007年1月采用经皮下全乳腺体切除术后带状背阔肌转移、联合假体即刻乳房再造术的12例乳腺癌病人的临床资料,分析该术式的特点及适应证。结果术后2例出现皮瓣下血清肿,经抽吸1周后痊愈。12例病人均接受化疗。最长随访1年,医生及病人对乳房形态均较满意。结论该术式简单,安全,手术时间短,效果良好,适用于肿瘤最大直径<3cm,肿瘤距离乳晕外缘有一定的距离,不适合保乳治疗,或预计保乳术后难以达到良好美学效果的病人。     

Immediate breast reconstruction with subpectoral implantation after transaxillary subcutaneous mastectomy for siliconoma

Immediate breast reconstruction on 14 patients suffering from breast hardening after augmentation mammaplasty by injection of silicone gel was performed. Transaxillary subcutaneous mastectomy was done followed by insertion of a double-lumen prosthesis into the subpectoralis plane. The result was greatly influenced by the amount of injected silicone gel. The patient was carefully observed after surgery, and the prosthesis was immediately removed when abnormal skin changes became apparent. Seven cases had no hardening on either side and 1 case had hardening on one side, 3 cases had hardening on both sides and 1 case on one side, 2 cases had the prosthesis removed from both sides and 2 cases from one side. All other cases with hardening or prosthesis removal, except one with removal from both sides, were subsequently reconstructed after more than three months.     

背阔肌肌瓣在双侧乳腺皮下切除后即时隆乳六例

目的：探讨双侧乳腺重度增生时,既能彻底切除,防止癌变,又能保持乳房外形的术式。方法：经腋下沿腋后线切口,行双侧乳腺皮下切除术,用带神经血管蒂的背阔肌肌瓣移转即时行隆乳。结果：1995－1998年治疗6例,术后双侧乳房对称,外形美观,手感良好。结论：该术式操作简便易行,切口隐蔽,组织瓣量大,血供好,外形美观,供区无明显后遗畸形,不影响功能。     

Skin-sparing mastectomy flap complications after breast reconstruction: review of incidence,management, and outcome

This study assesses the incidence and outcome of skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) flap complications after breast reconstruction. The authors performed a retrospective review of 37 consecutive patients undergoing SSM and immediate breast reconstruction, focusing on preoperative demographics, management of complications, and early outcome. Univariate analysis comparing patients with and without complications was performed using Student's t-test and chi-square analysis. From July 2000 to December 2001, 37 patients (mean age 48.1, range 24-71 y) underwent SSM and breast reconstruction (unilateral 20, bilateral 17) via TRAM flaps (n = 18), latissimus flaps (n = 13), and expander/implants (n = 6). SSM flap complications occurred in nine patients (24.3%) and included mild (n = 2), moderate (n = 5), and severe (n = 2) skin loss, resulting in four cases of dehiscence, five reoperations, and no delay in postoperative adjuvant therapy (required in six patients). Previous irradiation (n = 5, p = 0.045) and diabetes (n = 3, p = 0.001) were associated with SSM flap complications, but age, smoking, previous breast cancer, and type of reconstruction were not. Patients with SSM flap loss had a higher body mass index (BMI) than those without complications (30.0 vs. 24.3; p = 0.025). Skin flap complications after SSM and breast reconstruction are not uncommon but did not delay the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy, despite the need for reoperation. Patients with elevated BMI, diabetes, and previous irradiation may be at increased risk for SSM flap complications.     

Immediate breast reconstruction after salvage mastectomy: Case control outcome comparisons of DIEP flap and DTI reconstruction

BackgroundCancer recurrence after breast-conserving therapy is most often managed by salvage mastectomy. Successful breast reconstruction immediately after salvage mastectomy, however, remains challenging because the reconstruction is performed on previously irradiated breast tissue.MethodsRecords of patients who underwent breast reconstruction from June 2010 to June 2019 were reviewed, including their demographic characteristics, methods of breast reconstruction, and early and late outcomes. Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps and direct-to-implant (DTI) reconstructions following salvage mastectomies were compared with reconstructions following completion or primary mastectomies. Patients who underwent reconstruction followed by postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) and patients followed up for less than 6 months were excluded.ResultsDIEP flaps in 27 breasts that underwent salvage mastectomy were compared with DIEP flaps in 32 breasts that underwent completion and 564 that underwent primary mastectomy. Rates of early complications, including microsurgical revision and total flap loss, and of late complications (>6 months after surgery), including fat necrosis and flap volume loss, did not differ significantly. DTI reconstruction in 20 breasts that underwent salvage mastectomy was compared with DTI reconstruction in 12 breasts that underwent completion and 351 that underwent primary mastectomy. Wound healing problems, including wound dehiscence and delayed wound healing (15% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.0022), and capsular contracture (30% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.0000), were significantly more frequent in breasts that underwent salvage than primary mastectomy.ConclusionsDIEP flap is a successful reconstruction option after salvage mastectomy. DTI reconstruction is associated with higher rates of wound healing problems and capsular contracture after salvage than after primary mastectomy.     

The effect of wound complications following mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on breast cancer recurrence

Introduction

The aim of this study was to determine whether complications following mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) were associated with breast cancer recurrence.