title: Skin sparing mastectomy: technique and suggested methods of reconstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the feasibility and accessibility of performing adequate mastectomy to extirpate the breast tissue, along with en-block formal axillary dissection performed from within the same incision. We also compared different methods of immediate breast reconstruction used to fill the skin envelope to achieve the best aesthetic results.
  
  
  METHODS
  38 patients with breast cancer underwent skin-sparing mastectomy with formal axillary clearance, through a circum-areolar incision. Immediate breast reconstruction was performed using different techniques to fill in the skin envelope. Two reconstruction groups were assigned; group 1: Autologus tissue transfer only (n=24), and group 2: implant augmentation (n=14).
  The techniques used included filling in the skin envelope using Extended Latissimus Dorsi flap (18 patients) and Pedicled TRAM flap (6 patients).
  Subpectoral implants(4 patients), a rounded implant placed under the pectoralis major muscle to augment an LD reconstructed breast. LD pocket (10 patients), an anatomical implant placed over the pectoralis major muscle within a pocket created by the LD flap. No contra-lateral procedure was performed in any of the cases to achieve symmetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All cases underwent adequate excision of the breast tissue along with en-block complete axillary clearance (when indicated), without the need for an additional axillary incision. Eighteen patients underwent reconstruction using extended LD flaps only, six had TRAM flaps, four had augmentation using implants placed below the pectoralis muscle along with LD flaps, and ten had implants placed within the LD pocket. Breast shape, volume and contour were successfully restored in all patients. Adequate degree of ptosis was achieved, to ensure maximal symmetry.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skin Sparing mastectomy through a circum-areolar incision has proven to be a safe and feasible option for the management of breast cancer in Egyptian women, offering them adequate oncologic control and optimum cosmetic outcome through preservation of the skin envelope of the breast when ever indicated. Our patients can benefit from safe surgery and have good cosmetic outcomeby applying different reconstructive techniques.
authors: National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt.
authors: Ahmed M
authors: AM
authors: Farahat
authors: National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt.
authors: Tarek
authors: T
authors: Hashim
authors: National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt. Electronic address: Soliman@daad-alumni.de.
authors: Hussein O
authors: HO
authors: Soliman
authors: National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt.
authors: Tamer M
authors: TM
authors: Manie
authors: National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt.
authors: Osama M
authors: OM
authors: Soliman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Breast cancer; Breast reconstruction; Oncoplastic surgery; Skin sparing mastectomy; Volume replacement