Bilateral immediate two-stage breast reconstruction in patients with unilateral breast cancer: Outcomes analysis and risk assessment

IntroductionContralateral prophylactic mastectomy has the potential to decrease the occurrence of cancer and reduce psychological burden. However, it is known that complications after bilateral mastectomy are higher compared with unilateral mastectomy. Our goal was to evaluate outcomes of immediate breast reconstruction in patients undergoing bilateral mastectomy and to compare complication rates between therapeutic and prophylactic sides.Patients and MethodsElectronic medical records of patients with unilateral breast cancer who underwent bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with expanders were reviewed. Postoperative complications were compared between therapeutic and prophylactic mastectomy sides.ResultsSixty-two patients were analyzed. The overall complication rate after both stages was 23.9% on the therapeutic side and 16.5% on the prophylactic side. Infection was the most common complication on both sides. All infections on the prophylactic mastectomy side were successfully treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics (salvage rate of 100%), whereas 35.7% of infected tissue expander/implants on the therapeutic mastectomy side were explanted despite treatment.ConclusionCareful counselling of patients undergoing elective contralateral prophylactic mastectomy is essential as complications can develop in either breast after reconstruction.     

Acute upper limb infections in a regional Scottish plastic surgery unit during COVID-19: Lessons learned

IntroductionSmoking is a risk factor for post-operative complications following breast reconstruction. Abruptly refraining from all nicotine products may be difficult for patients with a new cancer diagnosis. The goal of this study is to assess complications following a distinct approach to tissue expander reconstruction in nicotine users.MethodsPatients who underwent tissue expander reconstruction after mastectomy were retrospectively reviewed. The approach to optimize outcomes in smokers was to delay reconstruction at least 7 days after the mastectomy and place the expander submuscularly (Group I). The other patients underwent standard immediate reconstruction on the day of mastectomy and were divided into Group II (active smokers) and Group III (non-smokers). Group III was considered the control group.ResultsThere was a total of 195 patients (323 breast reconstructions): Group I (10 patients, 19 expanders); Group II (11 patients, 19 expanders) and Group III (174 patients, 285 expanders). In Group I, n = 1/19 breasts had wound dehiscence requiring surgical management, compared to n = 18/285 in Group III (p = 1.0). Group II exhibited more wound dehiscence (n = 6/19) compared to Group III (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference when comparing wound dehiscence in prepectoral expander placement (7.0%) versus submuscular placement (4.8%) in Group III (p = 0.60).ConclusionNicotine users who are offered tissue expander breast reconstruction 1) at least 7 days after the mastectomy (to allow for vascular delay and demarcation) and 2) in the submuscular plane can normalize their risk of skin necrosis to that of non-smokers who have standard (prepectoral or submuscular) reconstruction on the day of mastectomy.     

Staged sentinel lymph node biopsy before mastectomy facilitates surgical planning for breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND: In patients with breast cancer who choose mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, the sentinel lymph node (SLN) status on permanent histology may complicate treatment if a metastasis is found. The purpose of this study was to determine how performing an SLN biopsy (SLNB) before the definitive operation would influence subsequent surgical procedures. METHODS: Our SLN database was searched for patients who underwent staged SLNB with subsequent mastectomy between 2001 and 2004. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with 27 breast cancers underwent SLNB before mastectomy. Of them, 9 of 27 (33%) were node positive. All 9 patients underwent modified radical mastectomy. Three node-positive patients did not undergo immediate reconstruction. Of the remaining 6 node-positive patients, 5 underwent reconstruction with autologous tissue rather than a tissue expander. In contrast, 6 of 16 (37%) node-negative patients underwent reconstruction with a tissue expander. CONCLUSIONS: Staged SLNB assists in selecting the appropriate operation in patients who are considering immediate reconstruction.     

可扩张乳房假体在一期乳房再造术中的应用

目的探讨乳癌根治术后应用可扩张乳房假体置入一期乳房再造术的适应证、手术方法、手术效果。方法2002年1月至2006年3月，30例患者采用乳癌根治术后可扩张乳房假体置入一期乳房再造术，其中5例保留了乳头乳晕。结果手术效果较为满意，3例乳房出现微小并发症，其中2例皮瓣局灶坏死，另1例出现乳头乳晕部分坏死。结论可扩张乳房假体置入乳房再造术适用于不适合单纯乳房假体置入法乳房再造术者，其与先行扩张器置入进行皮肤软组织扩张，然后置换乳房假体的乳房再造方法相比，减少了1次大手术，术后恢复快，不增加额外瘢痕。     

乳腺癌切除术后乳房重建并发症风险预测模型研究进展

乳腺癌是中国女性最常见的恶性肿瘤且发病率持续上升。为改善乳房切除患者生活质量,乳房重建已成为当今乳腺癌外科治疗的重要组成部分。乳房重建并发症的防控对确保后续治疗顺利进行及重建成功率至关重要。并发症风险预测模型可量化个体患者行不同乳房重建术的并发症风险,辅助临床医生完善手术方案选择、围手术期风险干预等决策,优化患者结局。笔者从模型构建、评价、验证等方面对乳腺癌切除术后不同乳房重建术并发症风险预测模型进行综述,旨在为乳腺癌患者乳房重建并发症风险的评估和防控提供参考。     

Mastectomy patterns,but not rates,are changing in the treatment of early breast cancer. Experience of a single European institution on 2315 consecutive patients

BackgroundRecent literature reports that rates of mastectomy are increasing in early breast cancer. However, data from European institutions are limited and revealed conflicting results. We report on 15-year trends of mastectomy, mastectomy plus immediate reconstruction and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) at an academic institution.MethodsWe identified women diagnosed with unilateral early breast cancer at stage 0-IIa, with tumour size ≤ 4 cm, between 2002 and 2016. Trends were assessed using the Cochrane–Armitage test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with receipt of mastectomy plus immediate reconstruction.ResultsA total of 2315 patients were identified. Of them, 65.7% underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS), while 34.3% underwent mastectomy as upfront surgery. Two point four per cent also received CPM. Immediate reconstruction was performed in 36.0% of patients receiving mastectomy. There was no change in trends of mastectomy over the 15 years studied (p = 0.69), as well as in trends of patients undergoing CPM (p = 0.44). In contrast, rates of immediate reconstruction rose significantly over the study period (from 12.2% in 2002 to 62.7% in 2016, p < 0.0001). Women were more likely to receive mastectomy plus immediate reconstruction if they were aged 50 years or younger, or had tumours larger than 2 cm, or had non-invasive carcinoma.ConclusionsOur study suggests that rates of both mastectomy and CPM in early breast cancer are not increasing, while use of immediate reconstruction is on the rise.     

Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy increases wound complications: however, initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy is not delayed

BACKGROUND: Immediate breast reconstruction is being increasingly used after mastectomy, although it may increase the incidence of wound complications. The indications for chemotherapy in breast cancer are expanding and wound complications following mastectomy may delay the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy. HYPOTHESIS: Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer does not lead to an increased incidence of wound complications nor delay the initiation of systemic chemotherapy. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective medical record review at a tertiary care center. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty-eight women treated with a mastectomy for breast cancer over an 8-year period (January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2002). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical site complications (infectious and noninfectious) and time to initiation of postoperative chemotherapy. RESULTS: One hundred forty-eight mastectomy procedures in 128 women with breast cancer were evaluated. We analyzed 4 subgroups according to whether or not immediate breast reconstruction was part of the surgical procedure (76 or 72 procedures, respectively) and whether or not postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was administered (81 or 47 patients, respectively). There was an increased incidence of wound complications in patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction compared with those who did not (6/72 [8.3%] vs 17/76 [22.3%]; P = .02). However, these complications did not delay initiation of postoperative chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although we observed an increased incidence of wound complications when immediate breast reconstruction was combined with mastectomy, there was no delay in the initiation of adjuvant therapy. Immediate breast reconstruction should remain an important treatment option after mastectomy even when postoperative chemotherapy is anticipated.     

保留乳头乳晕乳腺全切除术并Ⅰ期乳房重建126例

目的探讨保留乳头乳晕的乳腺全切除术（NSM）及Ⅰ期乳房重建的适应证、方法、效果及可行性。方法对深圳市第二人民医院2005年6月至2011年10月收治的126例乳腺癌患者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方面评价美容效果,观察其并发症及随访治疗效果。结果126例患者均手术成功。6例早期出现轻微并发症,予以对症治疗后痊愈。术后随访6-80个月,主、客观评价的优良率均为97．62％。其中118例乳腺癌患者无局部复发和远处转移。结论保留乳头乳晕的乳腺全切术及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,且不影响乳腺癌的综合治疗。     

软组织扩张器在乳腺癌假体乳房重建术中的应用

目的总结软组织扩张器在乳腺癌假体乳房重建术中应用的临床经验。方法回顾分析我科2011年2月~2016年4月41例乳房切除术后采用软组织扩张器置入联合Ⅱ期假体置入的乳腺癌患者,年龄28~58岁,中位年龄42岁。病理类型:浸润性导管癌38例,导管原位癌伴浸润性导管癌3例。肿瘤直径1.0~4.5 cm,中位直径2.4 cm。Ⅰ期24例,ⅡA期9例,ⅡB期7例,ⅢA期1例。32例行传统改良根治术,9例行保留乳头乳晕复合体(NAC)的改良根治术。乳房切除术后即刻行软组织扩张器置入,按NCCN指南进行术后辅助治疗,待放疗结束后行II期假体乳房重建术。术后定期随访。结果成功重建38例。41例术后出现10例并发症,其中5例感染,1例皮肤破损,1例伤口裂开,1例皮瓣缺血,2例乳头乳晕复合体缺血。术后6个月评价美容效果,优19例,良15例,一般2例,差1例,优良率为92%。随访6~56个月,中位随访26个月,出现3例远处转移,无局部复发。结论乳腺癌患者乳房切除术后软组织扩张器置入加Ⅱ期假体乳房重建可获得良好的美容效果,而不增加复发风险,同时并发症较少。     

保留乳头乳晕的乳腺癌改良根治术后即刻假体乳房再造的效果

目的:探讨硅胶假体在保留乳头乳晕的乳腺癌改良根治术后即刻乳房再造的效果。方法:2016年1月至2018年1月,湖南省郴州市第一人民医院乳腺甲状腺外科收治30例女性乳腺癌患者,年龄30~55岁,平均42岁;分为两组。观察组15例采用保留乳头乳晕的乳腺癌改良根治术联合即刻假体乳房再造,对照组15例仅行乳腺癌改良根治术。比较...     

Immediate breast reconstruction for stage III breast cancer using transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap

Background: The management of stage III breast cancer is challenging; it often includes multimodal treatment with systemic therapy and/or radiation therapy and surgery. Immediate breast reconstruction has not traditionally been performed in these patients. We review the results of immediate transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap in 21 patients treated for stage III breast cancer. Methods: Data have been collected retrospectively on 21 patients diagnosed with stage III breast cancer between 1987 and 1994. All patients had mastectomy and immediate TRAM reconstruction. Thirteen patients received primary systemic therapy, 10 patients received postoperative consolidation radiotherapy to the operative site, and 3 patients received preoperative radiation. Results: Mean follow-up for the group was 26 months. Two patients died with disseminated disease: neither of them developed local disease recurrence in the operative site; 82% of the patients followed for at least two years are free of disease. Sixty-two percent of the patients received preoperative chemotherapy, the remaining patients received postoperative multiagent chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Two of the patients received autologous bone marrow transplants after their adjuvant therapy. Ten patients had postoperative radiotherapy for consolidation; three patients received preoperative radiation. Conclusions: Immediate TRAM reconstruction for stage III breast cancer is not associated with a delay in adjuvant therapy or an increased risk of local relapse. It facilitates wide resection of involved skin without skin grafting. Radiation therapy can be delivered to the reconstructed breast when indicated without difficulty. Breast reconstruction facilitates surgical resection of stage III breast cancer with primary closure and should be considered if the patient desires immediate breast reconstruction.Results of this study were presented at the 48th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Boston, Massachusetts, March 23–26, 1995.     

Mastectomía preservadora de piel con colgajo dermograso desepitelizado (técnica de Spira modificada) y reconstrucción mediante implante directo

IntroductionSpira technique is a type of nipple-sparing mastectomy that allows immediate reconstruction (IBR), ideal for ptosic breasts. Although, controversy persists regarding oncological results in breast cancer. The aim is to analyze complications, cosmetic outcomes, causes of reoperation and oncological results.MethodsRetrospective observational analysis of patients undergone surgery during 2003-2018 in our center. Study population is based on patients with breast carcinoma or undergoing prophylactic mastectomy due to high-risk, in which a skin-sparing mastectomy with a de-epithelialized derma-fat flap (modified Spira technique) and direct to implant reconstruction was performed. Short and long-term complications, sequelae, tumor recurrence and survival rates are analyzed.ResultsA total of 247 mastectomies with immediate reconstruction in 139 patients, 216 bilateral (87.4%) and 31 unilateral (12.5%) were performed. 121 therapeutic (49%) and 126 prophylactic (51%). Median follow-up 81 months. Complications were observed in 16.2%; skin necrosis 5.3% and 5 cases of NAC necrosis (2%). Reoperation rate due to cosmetic sequelae was 17.4% (capsular contracture was the most frequent,11.3%) and a 39.3% of these patients have received RT. Recurrence of 14% (0.8% skin, 3.3% locoregional and 9.9% metastatic), 8 patients died (6.6%). Rates of FSD and OS were 92.6% and 93.3% respectively.ConclusionSpira mastectomy is a safe option and provides good cosmetic and oncologic results as breast cancer treatment and prophylaxis in moderate-large ptosic breasts.     

Appraisal of breast reconstruction with the tissue expansion technique

Our experience with 29 patients treated using the tissue expander technique at the Breast Unit, Longmore Hospital, Edinburgh, UK was evaluated. A morbidity rate of 19%, of minor complications only, was seen with expander insertion, tissue expansion and insertion of the permanent prosthesis. Twenty-two women completed questionnaires, two of whom had undergone bilateral reconstruction. In the opinion of the patients, the improved freedom of dress and improved naked appearance after reconstruction, compared with after mastectomy, more than compensated for the abnormal sensation over or around the reconstructed breast; 19 patients rated their clothed appearance as good as that before mastectomy. Twenty of these women were assessed by a four-person panel. A range of end results was noted; symmetry, cosmesis and size were generally better when wearing a brassiere. Lack of ptosis, surgical scars and firmness on the reconstructed side were the main reservations. Tissue expansion breast reconstruction is highly acceptable to patients and has satisfactory surgical results.     

Is mammography useful in screening for local recurrences in patients with TRAM flap breast reconstruction after mastectomy for multifocal DCIS?

Background: Skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction is being used more often for the treatment of breast cancer. Mammography is not used routinely to evaluate TRAM flaps in women who have undergone mastectomy. We have identified the potential value of its use in selected patients. Methods and Results: We report on four women who manifested local recurrences in TRAM flaps after initial treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or DCIS with microinvasion undergoing skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. All four patients presented with extensive, high-grade, multifocal DCIS that precluded breast conservation. Three of four mastectomy specimens demonstrated tumor close to the surgical margin. Three of the four recurrences were detected by physical examination; the remaining local recurrence was documented by screening mammography. The recurrences had features suggestive of malignancy on mammography. Conclusion: We conclude that all patients undergoing mastectomy and TRAM reconstruction for extensive, multifocal DCIS should undergo regular routine mammography of the reconstructed breast. Our experience with this subgroup of patients raises concern about the value of skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction for therapy. Adjuvant radiation therapy should be recommended for those patients with negative but close surgical margins.     

Local recurrence of breast cancer after skin-sparing mastectomy following core needle biopsy: case reports and review of the literature

The latest advances in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for breast cancer have provided valuable technological breakthroughs. Yet the long-term consequences of these modern methods are still quite unclear. Such is the case for stereotactic or ultrasound-guided histologic needle biopsy and skin-sparing mastectomy. We report on three patients who presented with multicentric breast cancer diagnosed by stereotactic needle biopsy and treated by skin-sparing mastectomy. All three patients developed recurrence at the core needle entry site. Records of 58 patients with breast cancer who were treated by skin-sparing mastectomy followed by immediate reconstruction (with transverse rectus abdominis muscle [TRAM] flap or tissue expander) at the Breast Diseases Division of Buenos Aires British Hospital between December 1999 and December 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. Eleven of these patients were diagnosed by histologic needle biopsy. The mean follow-up was 28 months (range 5-60 months). Three (skin or subcutaneous) local recurrences at the needle entry site, diagnosed in a mean time of 23.6 months (16, 22, and 23 months), were reported. The three patients underwent complete resection with clear margins, radiation therapy to the "neobreast," and tamoxifen. All three patients are disease free with a mean postrecurrence follow-up of 24.3 months (30, 23, and 22 months). Based on the evidence of displacement of tumor cells and the potential nonresection of such tumor seeding at the time of skin-sparing mastectomy, as well as the poor probability of postoperative radiation therapy, we recommend surgical resection of the needle biopsy tract, including the dermal entry site, at the time of mastectomy.     

Innovative combination of therapeutic mammoplasty and expandable-implant breast augmentation for immediate partial breast reconstruction

IntroductionTherapeutic mammoplasty is used in the treatment of suitably-sized and appropriately-located breast cancers to achieve adequate cancer excision, resulting in well-shaped but smaller breasts. In patients wishing to maintain or increase their breast size, simultaneous augmentation will be required.Presentation of caseA 48-year-old female underwent an “augmentation-therapeutic mastopexy”. She required mastectomy for a multifocal cancer of the right breast and breast conservation for a unifocal localised cancer in the upper part of the left breast. She requested right immediate breast reconstruction and hoped for larger breasts than she had. Due to complications during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the right reconstruction plan was changed from a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap to an implant-based technique. On the left, an extended superomedial pedicle therapeutic mammoplasty was combined with a subpectoral augmentation using an expandable-implant.DiscussionThe use of expandable-implants for reconstruction of partial mastectomy defects in combination with therapeutic mammoplasty has not been reported. This case report shows that such “augmentation-therapeutic mastopexy” is feasible.ConclusionA “novel” oncoplastic technique herein termed “augmentation-therapeutic mastopexy” is described for partial breast reconstruction during the treatment of a patient with bilateral breast cancer. It enabled adequate treatment of her cancer while reshaping the breast and achieving the desired larger breast size. It should be considered in selected breast-conservation patients who wish to maintain or increase their breast size.     

Hypofractionated versus conventional fractionated radiotherapy for breast cancer in patients with reconstructed breast: Toxicity analysis

PurposeThis study investigated whether hypofractionated adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) increased breast-related complication(s) compared to conventional fractionated RT in reconstructed breast cancer patients.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review including 349 breast cancer patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery (BCS) between 2009 and 2018 at two institutions. All patients were treated with adjuvant RT via either a conventional fractionated or hypofractionated regimen. We defined a major breast complication as a breast-related toxic event requiring re-operation or re-hospitalization during the follow-up period after the end of RT.ResultsThe median follow-up was 32.3 months (4.8–118.5 months); 126 patients had conventional fractionated RT, and 223 patients received hypofractionated RT. In patients with mastectomy, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of any or major breast-related complications between the two fractionation regimens. In patients undergoing BCS, incidence of any breast complication showed no difference between two RT groups and no major breast complication was reported as well. Hypofractionated RT did not increase major wound problem (infection and dehiscence) compared to conventional RT. Incidence of major contracture was significantly lower in hypofractionated RT.ConclusionsThere was no significant difference in the occurrence of any or major breast-related complications between the two different fractionation regimens, even in patients with mastectomy. Hypofractionated RT may be used comparable to conventional fractionated RT in terms of breast-related complications in reconstructed breast cancer patients. The prospective randomized trial would be necessary to clarify this issue.     

Whole body MRI for systemic staging of breast cancer in pregnant women

When breast cancer is diagnosed during pregnancy, treatment should be as close; as possible to what is used in non-pregnant patients. This requires accurate local and systemic staging: ultrasound (US) is used for local staging and allows adequate evaluation of the liver and pelvis, but chest and bones cannot be explored and imaging techniques involving exposure to ionizing radiation would be needed. However, since imaging techniques involving ionizing radiation and the use of radionuclides should be limited, whole body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) without administration of contrast agent represents a very interesting alternative, but limited data is available. In this paper we describe the obstetrical and oncological outcome of 14 patients in whom breast cancer was diagnosed during the second or third trimester of pregnancy and that were staged using WB-MRI. Median age of the patient at diagnosis was 35 years (range 20–36), median gestational age at MRI was 30 weeks (range 13–32) and median age at delivery was 38 weeks (range 32–38). At birth, one new-born presented respiratory distress syndrome and one jaundice. We conclude that diffusion-weighted MRI is feasible accurate and safe for the mother and for the foetus. It may represent the staging technique of choice in pregnant women diagnosed with breast cancer after the first trimester of pregnancy.