title: Preoperative digital mammography imaging in conservative mastectomy and immediate reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Digital mammography clearly distinguishes gland tissue density from the overlying non-glandular breast tissue coverage, which corresponds to the existing tissue between the skin and the Cooper's ligaments surrounding the gland (i.e., dermis and subcutaneous fat). Preoperative digital imaging can determine the thickness of this breast tissue coverage, thus facilitating planning of the most adequate surgical techniques and reconstructive procedures for each case.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study aimed to describe the results of a retrospective study of 352 digital mammograms in 176 patients with different breast volumes who underwent preoperative conservative mastectomies. The breast tissue coverage thickness and its relationship with the breast volume were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The breast tissue coverage thickness ranged from 0.233 to 4.423 cm, with a mean value of 1.952 cm. A comparison of tissue coverage and breast volume revealed a non-direct relationship between these factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preoperative planning should not depend only on breast volume. Flap evaluations based on preoperative imaging measurements might be helpful when planning a conservative mastectomy. Accordingly, we propose a breast tissue coverage classification (BTCC).
authors: 1 Director of Oncoplastic Surgery, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 2 Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery, Hospital Santojani, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 3 Private Practice, Partners in Plastic Surgery, Grand Rapids, MI, USA ; 4 Private Practice, Milano, Italy ; 5 Chief, Mastology Division, Institute A. Roffo, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 6 Presidente Fundacion Argentina Contra el Cancer, FACEC, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 7 General Director, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Rancati
authors: 1 Director of Oncoplastic Surgery, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 2 Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery, Hospital Santojani, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 3 Private Practice, Partners in Plastic Surgery, Grand Rapids, MI, USA ; 4 Private Practice, Milano, Italy ; 5 Chief, Mastology Division, Institute A. Roffo, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 6 Presidente Fundacion Argentina Contra el Cancer, FACEC, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 7 General Director, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Angrigiani
authors: 1 Director of Oncoplastic Surgery, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 2 Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery, Hospital Santojani, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 3 Private Practice, Partners in Plastic Surgery, Grand Rapids, MI, USA ; 4 Private Practice, Milano, Italy ; 5 Chief, Mastology Division, Institute A. Roffo, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 6 Presidente Fundacion Argentina Contra el Cancer, FACEC, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 7 General Director, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Dennis
authors: D
authors: Hammond
authors: 1 Director of Oncoplastic Surgery, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 2 Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery, Hospital Santojani, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 3 Private Practice, Partners in Plastic Surgery, Grand Rapids, MI, USA ; 4 Private Practice, Milano, Italy ; 5 Chief, Mastology Division, Institute A. Roffo, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 6 Presidente Fundacion Argentina Contra el Cancer, FACEC, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 7 General Director, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Nava
authors: 1 Director of Oncoplastic Surgery, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 2 Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery, Hospital Santojani, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 3 Private Practice, Partners in Plastic Surgery, Grand Rapids, MI, USA ; 4 Private Practice, Milano, Italy ; 5 Chief, Mastology Division, Institute A. Roffo, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 6 Presidente Fundacion Argentina Contra el Cancer, FACEC, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 7 General Director, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Eduardo
authors: E
authors: Gonzalez
authors: 1 Director of Oncoplastic Surgery, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 2 Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery, Hospital Santojani, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 3 Private Practice, Partners in Plastic Surgery, Grand Rapids, MI, USA ; 4 Private Practice, Milano, Italy ; 5 Chief, Mastology Division, Institute A. Roffo, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 6 Presidente Fundacion Argentina Contra el Cancer, FACEC, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 7 General Director, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Roman
authors: R
authors: Rostagno
authors: 1 Director of Oncoplastic Surgery, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 2 Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery, Hospital Santojani, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 3 Private Practice, Partners in Plastic Surgery, Grand Rapids, MI, USA ; 4 Private Practice, Milano, Italy ; 5 Chief, Mastology Division, Institute A. Roffo, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; 6 Presidente Fundacion Argentina Contra el Cancer, FACEC, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 7 General Director, IOHM, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Gustavo
authors: G
authors: Gercovich
keywords: Breast tissue coverage; conservative mastectomy; digital mammography