Postoperative complications following simultaneous therapeutic and contralateral prophylactic nipple-sparing mastectomy: a retrospective study

Introduction: Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy (NSM) is increasingly indicated for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes due to better cosmetic results with nipple maintenance. Postoperative complications have not been compared among patients who have undergone simultaneous therapeutic and contralateral prophylactic NSM. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for postoperative complications in bilateral/unilateral NSMs, and therapeutic and/or prophylactic NSMs. Methods: Retrospective study of patients who underwent NSM between 2007 and 2017 at A.C. Camargo Cancer Center. Results: Among 290 patients, 367 NSMs were performed, 64 simultaneous therapeutic and contralateral prophylactic NSM. The latter were associated with more postoperative complications (OR=3.42; p=0.002), mainly skin flap necrosis (OR=3.79; p=0.004), hematoma (OR=7.1; p=0.002), wound infection (OR=3.45; p=0.012), and nipple-areola complex (NAC) loss (OR=9.63; p=0.003). Of the 367 NSMs, 213 were unilateral NSMs, which were associated with lower rates of postoperative complications (OR=0.44; p=0.003), especially skin flap necrosis (OR=0.32; p=0.001), hematoma (OR=0.29; p=0.008), wound infection (OR=0.22; p=0.0001), and reoperation (OR=0.38; p=0.008). Obesity was related to more postoperative complications (OR=2.55; p=0.01), mainly hematoma (OR=3.54; p=0.016), reoperation (OR=2.68; p=0.023), and NAC loss (OR=3.54; p=0.016). Patients' age (p=0.169), their smoking status (p=0.138), breast ptosis (0.189), previous chest radiotherapy (p 1), or previous breast surgery (p=0.338) were not related to higher chances of postoperative complications. Conclusions: Results suggest that performing therapeutic and contralateral prophylactic NSM as separated procedures may represent a good strategy for minimizing postoperative complications.

Reconstrução de parede torácica com retalhos musculocutâneos e fasciocutâneos em pacientes com câncer de mama localmente avançado e metastático / Thoracic wall reconstruction using myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps in patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer

Introdução: Câncer de mama localmente avançado é caracterizado pelos estádios clínicos IIIb ou IV e representam de 20 a 25% de todos os casos. A reconstrução dos defeitos é feita com retalhos musculocutâneos e fasciocutâneos, sendo os mais utilizados o latíssimo do dorso e o reto abdominal. O objetivo é avaliar resultados das reconstruções de parede torácica em câncer de mama localmente avançados com retalhos musculocutâneos e fasciocutâneos. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, observacional descritivo, em único centro. Variáveis estudadas: dimensões do defeito e do retalho, tipo de retalho utilizado para a reconstrução, metástases cutâneas e viscerais, evolução pós-operatória e complicações. Resultados: 11 pacientes, com média de idade de 49 anos, com o lado esquerdo mais acometido. O tipo tumoral mais encontrado foi o carcinoma ductal invasivo. Os retalhos realizados foram: 2 latíssimos do dorso com desenho VY (LDVY), 2 latíssimos do dorso associados a retalho toracoabdominal (LDVYTA), 4 verticais do músculo reto do abdome (VRAM) e 3 toracoabdominais (TA). A área média dos defeitos foi 421,72cm2 e a área média dos retalhos utilizados foi de 451cm2. A complicação mais frequente foi deiscência parcial da ferida operatória, presente em 7 pacientes. Da amostra, 6 pacientes atingiram êxito letal. VRAM foi o retalho que apresentou mais complicações. A sobrevida média para VRAM foi de 25,5 meses, para LDVY de 17 meses, TA de 17 meses e LDVYTA de 20,5 meses. Conclusão: Os retalhos musculocutâneos e fasciocutâneos são eficazes para a reconstrução da parede torácica após a ressecção de neoplasias mamárias localmente avançadas.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Locally advanced breast cancer is characterized by clinical stage IIIb or IV and accounts for 20­25% of all cases. Defects are reconstructed using myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps, primarily from the latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis muscles. The objective is to evaluate the results of thoracic wall reconstructions in cases of locally advanced breast cancer using fasciocutaneous and myocutaneous flaps. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, and descriptive single-center study. Variables studied included defect size and flap dimensions, myocutaneous flap type, presence of cutaneous and visceral metastasis, postoperative evolution, and complications. Results: We selected 11 patients with a mean age of 49 years; the left side was the most commonly affected. The most common tumor type was invasive ductal carcinoma. The flaps were made of latissimus dorsi VY (LDVY) in two patients, latissimus dorsi associated with thoracoabdominal flaps (LDVYTA) in two, vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap (VRAM) in four, and thoracoabdominal flaps (TA) in three. The mean defect area was 421.72 cm2, while the mean flap area was 451 cm2. The most frequent complication was partial dehiscence (seven patients). Six patients achieved lethal exit. VRAM flaps presented more complications. The mean survival for VRAM was 25.5 months, LDVY was 17 months, TA was 17 months, LDVYTA was 20.5 months. Conclusion: Myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps are effective for chest wall reconstruction after locally advanced breast cancer resection.

Nova proposta para utilização de Becker 35 no segundo tempo de reconstrução mamária de grandes volumes / New proposal for the use of the Becker 35 expander in second large volume breast reconstruction

Introdução: A reconstrução imediata de mama realizada com o expansor de Becker é uma técnica de reconstrução versátil e consolidada na prática médica. Apresentamos uma proposta original com o uso do expansor de Becker associado a um segundo implante mamário. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo realizado no período de janeiro de 2014 a outubro de 2016 no Hospital A.C. Camargo. A análise dos prontuários das pacientes reconstruídas com Becker 35 avaliou o índice e tipo de complicações e a associação de rádio e quimioterapia e comorbidades das pacientes com 5 casos de associação de implantes. Resultados: 193 reconstruções com Becker em 168 pacientes. Vinte cinco casos com reconstrução bilateral. Idade média de 47 anos e 33% apresentaram comorbidades. Cento e dezenove (62%) pacientes seguiram radioterapia e quimioterapia pós-operatórias. Complicações: seroma em 7 pacientes, hematoma no retalho da mastectomia em 2 pacientes, necrose parcial do retalho da mastectomia em 3 pacientes, necrose/infecção com exposição do expansor em 2 pacientes. O total de complicações foi de 9,5%. Um total de 133 (69%) pacientes foram submetidas a esta segunda etapa cirúrgica para complementação da reconstrução da mama, sendo o expansor de Becker substituído por um implante definitivo. As pacientes com uso de Becker 35 associado a outro implante não apresentaram complicações. Conclusões: A associação do implante-expansor de Becker 35 a um segundo implante mamário foi eficaz em atingir um volume maior nas reconstruções mamárias com baixo índice de complicações.

Introduction: Immediate breast reconstruction performed with the Becker expander is a versatile and accepted technique. We present an original proposal for the use of the Becker expander for a second breast implant. Methods: A retrospective study was performed between January 2014 and October 2016. Medical records were used to evaluate the indications and complications, the use of radio- and chemotherapy, and comorbidities in all patients, including 5 in whom combined implantation was performed. Results: The Becker expander was used for 193 reconstructions in 168 patients, including 25 cases with bilateral reconstructions. The average patient age was 47 years, and 33% had comorbidities. Postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy were performed in 119 patients (62%). Complications included seroma in 7 patients, hematoma in the mastectomy flap in 2 patients, partial necrosis of the mastectomy flap in 3 patients, and necrosis/infection with expander exposure in 2 patients. Complications occurred in 9.5% of the cases. A total of 133 (69%) patients underwent a second surgical stage to complement breast reconstruction, with the Becker expander being replaced by a definitive implant. Patients in whom the Becker 35 expander was used in a second breast implant developed no complications. Conclusions: the use of the Becker 35 expander for a second breast implant was effective in achieving greater volume in breast reconstruction with a low rate of complications.