One-stage nipple and breast reconstruction using a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap after a skinsparing mastectomy

• Published in: Archives of plastic surgery pp. 26 - 32
• Main Authors: Hyun Jun Cho, 권효정, Suk-Ho Moon, Young Joon Jun, 이종원, 오득영
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 대한성형외과학회 01.01.2020
• Subjects: 성형외과학
• ISSN: 2234-6163; 2234-6171
• DOI: 10.5999/aps.2019.00598

Background Nipple reconstruction is usually performed as a delayed procedure in patientswith breast cancer who undergo skin-sparing mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgeryusing a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. The authors designed this study toevaluate the utility of breast reconstruction based on a DIEP flap and immediate nipple reconstruction. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent breast reconstructionperformed by a single plastic surgeon from October 2016 to June 2018. Through aquestionnaire and chart review, we compared surgical results and complications in cases ofsingle-stage nipple reconstruction after skin-sparing mastectomy (n=17) with patients whounderwent delayed nipple reconstruction after skin-sparing mastectomy, modified radicalmastectomy, or simple mastectomy (n=7). Results In a subjective analysis using clinical photos, the immediate nipple reconstructiongroup had higher scores than their counterparts in an evaluation of the nipple-areolar complex(NAC) (NAC placement, 3.34 vs. 3.04; nipple projection, 3.05 vs. 3.03; nipple size, 3.30 vs. 3.29). No significant differences between the groups were found in terms of complications. Conclusions Simultaneous nipple reconstruction is a reliable surgical method with economicadvantages. No differences were found in terms of outcomes and complications in comparisonto delayed reconstruction. Therefore, surgeons can consider simultaneous nipple reconstructionwithout particular concerns about asymmetry or necrosis. KCI Citation Count: 0