Nipple- or skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction by the "moving window" operation.

BACKGROUND: Endoscope-assisted skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) or nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) has been developed to minimize the skin incision and to improve the cosmetic outcome of reconstructed breast for patients with breast cancer. However, this procedure can be performed without using endoscopic instruments.

METHODS: We have performed SSM or NSM via a small periareolar incision with axillary incision using wound retractors without disposable endoscopic instruments. After the entire breast tissue was removed, immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) using tissue expanders was performed through the axillary incision.

RESULTS: Twelve patients (13 cases: 1 patient had synchronous bilateral primary cancer) underwent NSM, and 8 had SSM because of involvement of the nipple-areola complex. IBR was performed with tissue expanders in 18 patients, while 2 patients refused to have IBR because of small breast size. When 3 patients with synchronous or metachronous bilateral breast cancer were excluded, the average length of surgery was 267 min in 15 patients who underwent SSM or NSM followed by IBR with implants, while it was only 120 min in 2 patients who underwent NSM alone. Average blood loss was 135 mL (range 40-350 mL).

CONCLUSION: We have described a novel technique using the wound retractor for SSM or NSM followed by IBR in treating breast cancer patients. This technique can minimize skin incisions without using disposable endoscopic instruments and improve the cosmetic outcome of the reconstructed breast.