Management of skin-sparing mastectomy: results of a survey of German hospitals.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the current management of skin-sparing mastectomy in German hospitals and to determine its oncologic safety. For this purpose, 100 surgeons were surveyed regarding their use of skin-sparing mastectomy.


RESULTS
Almost all surveyed hospitals performed skin-sparing mastectomy. Most of them believe that the recurrence rate is equal to that of conventional mastectomy. 95% regard inflammatory cancer as a contraindication to skin-sparing surgery. Most of the hospitals thin out the skin without leaving any macroscopic glandular tissue behind, and 73% leave the nipple-areola complex (NAC) on the basis of frozen sections. Volume replacement is most commonly done with latissimus dorsi muscle flaps and pedicled TRAM flaps. In 76% of the surveyed hospitals, reconstruction after mastectomy is performed by the gynecological department.


CONCLUSIONS
Skin-sparing mastectomy is considered to be the best cosmetic option for breast reconstruction in selected breast cancer patients. At present, statistical proof of its oncologic safety is lacking. The surgical techniques used for skin-sparing mastectomy have not yet been standardized. In order to achieve standardization, careful discussion-making and evaluation remain important.
Dian
Darius
D
University Women's Clinic of LMU, University Hospital Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany. darius.dian@med.uni-muenchen.de
Hemminger
Gabriele
G
Janni
Wolfgang
W
Friese
Klaus
K
Jänicke
Fritz
F
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015414:Mastectomy, Subcutaneous / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data