Quantitative assessment and risk factors for nipple–areolar complex malposition after nipple-sparing mastectomy

Nipple-areolar complex malposition in breast reconstruction after nipple-sparing mastectomy: a multi-institutional retrospective observational study in Japan

BACKGROUND

Position of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) is an important factor in the esthetic impression of the breast, and NAC malposition is often an issue in breast reconstruction after nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of NAC malposition depending on several factors using data quantified with the Mamma Balance application (Medic Engineering K.K., Kyoto, Japan).

METHODS

Patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction after NSM at eight hospitals in Japan between 2007 and 2020 were retrospectively investigated. Using Mamma Balance, NAC malposition was quantified separately in horizontal and vertical directions using patient photographs from pre-operatively and 6-24 months post-operatively. The degree of malpositioning was then statistically compared using various factors.

RESULTS

The NAC deviated more cranially and medially with implants than that with flaps. Cases with latissimus dorsi flap showed lateral malposition more often than cases with deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap. With flaps, lateral incisions showed more lateral malposition, and peri-areolar incisions tended to show more medial NAC malposition. In cases with severe post-operative infection of the implant, the NAC tended to deviate cranially. In radiation cases, the NAC deviated cranially. No significant difference was observed according to the degree of breast ptosis or use of the pull-down operation. Only a very weak correlation was observed between a larger amount of mastectomy and more cranial NAC malposition with both flaps and implants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insights into the tendencies and characteristics of NAC malposition.

Breast Splint for Prevention of Nipple-areolar Complex Malposition after Direct-to-implant Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction with immediate placement of breast implants (direct-to-implant methods) following nipple-sparing mastectomy has increased because of the low burden on the patient and good aesthetic results. However, nipple–areolar complex (NAC) malposition after this surgery remains a common complication that has yet to be entirely resolved. Here, we introduce an approach using Duoactive CGF to prevent postoperative NAC malposition. Immediate postoperative fixation of Duoactive CGF cranially to the NAC of the operated breast was applied for 2–4 weeks. This is referred to as a breast splint. In the study, nine patients who received breast splints and 15 patients who did not were enrolled. The NAC position on the splint-treated breast was compared with that on the healthy side within 6 months after surgery. A case with little visual malposition was defined as having a good outcome, based on the deviation in the cranial direction not exceeding the position of the contralateral NAC. Our preliminary data demonstrated that the rate of good outcomes was significantly higher (P = 0.028) in cases in which a breast splint was used, compared with those that were not treated with a breast splint (7/9, 78.8% versus 4/15, 26.7%). Postoperative application of a breast splint using Duoactive CGF is a simple and useful method to prevent NAC malposition after breast reconstruction, using a direct-to-implant method.