Skin-Sparing Mastectomy

Mastectomy is the removal of the whole breast. However, a skin-sparing mastectomy is a technique that preserves as much of the breast skin as possible. Skin-sparing mastectomy can be performed as a "simple" or "total" mastectomy or, as a modified radical mastectomy providing the skin required for immediate reconstruction.

How does is work and what is the advantage?

The breast surgeon removes just the skin of the nipple, areola and the original biopsy scar. Then through a small opening that's created, the surgeon removes the breast tissue. The remaining skin envelope provides the optimum shape and form to accommodate an implant or reconstruction with your own tissue. This leads to the most realistic type of reconstruction as the patient retains both their own skin, and a near-natural shape.  

Is there a higher risk of cancer recurrence?

Studies have shown that a skin-sparing mastectomy has an equivalent result compared with a modified radical mastectomy. If there exists any doubt at all that the cancer may involve the skin (such as with inflammatory breast cancer), then a wider excision of skin may be deemed necessary.

What are the risks of skin-sparing mastectomy?

Because the skin envelope becomes very thin with a skin-sparing mastectomy, the blood supply can sometimes be compromised. In about 10% of cases, part of the skin envelope can lead to wound breakdown and skin loss.