Prospective evaluation of skin and nipple-areola sensation and patient satisfaction after nipple-sparing mastectomy

• Published in: Journal of surgical oncology Vol. 114; no. 1; pp. 11 - 16
• Main Authors: Dossett, Lesly A., Lowe, Janell, Sun, Weihong, Lee, M.C., Smith, Paul D., Jacobsen, Paul B., Laronga, Christine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.07.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Body Image; breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Female; Humans; Mastectomy, Subcutaneous; Middle Aged; nipple sensation; nipple-sparing mastectomy; Nipples - physiology; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; outcomes; Patient Satisfaction - statistics & numerical data; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Touch; Young Adult; breast cancer; nipple-sparing mastectomy; quality of life; outcomes; nipple sensation
• ISSN: 0022-4790; 1096-9098
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.24264

Background Sensation and quality of life (QOL) before and after nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) are poorly understood. Methods Women electing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and eligible for NSM were prospectively enrolled in a sensation and satisfaction/QOL study. Women self‐selected skin‐sparing mastectomy (SSM) or NSM. Skin sensation testing using Semmes Weinstein monofilaments and patient satisfaction/QOL surveys were administered preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Results 53 patients were enrolled (n = 38, 72% NSM and n = 15, 28% SSM). Both groups had significant reduction in postoperative skin sensation. For NSM, measurable NAC sensation was preserved in both NAC for 26% of patients and in one NAC for 68%. QOL and satisfaction was similar between groups. Neither group was satisfied with sexual arousal with breast or nipple stimulation after surgery. Conclusion Patients undergoing SSM and NSM have considerable loss in skin and NAC sensation following surgery. Satisfaction and QOL did not differ between groups. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:11–16. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.