Oncoplastic breast surgery for cancer: analysis of 540 consecutive cases [outcomes article]. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;125:454-462. [PMID: 20124831 DOI: 10.1097/prs.0b013e3181c82d3e]

Racquet Mammoplasty as an Oncoplastic Technique in the Management of Lateral Quadrant Breast Cancer: A Prospective Controlled Study of Oncologic and Cosmetic Outcomes

Background and Objectives: The incorporation of oncoplastic surgery techniques into the management of breast cancer has become more popular and offers both oncological safety and good cosmetic results. However, it is challenging for surgeons to obtain good oncological control and acceptable cosmetic results. This study aims to evaluate racquet mammoplasty in patients managing lateral quadrant breast tumors. Materials and Methods: In total, 59 female patients with lesions in their lateral breast quadrants were operated upon using the racquet mammoplasty technique. Their intraoperative data and postoperative outcomes were assessed and analyzed. Follow-up was planned for at least 1 year later. Results: In the current study, 59 females were enrolled, with a mean age of 38.6 ± 4.3 years. Tumors were located in the lateral upper quadrant in most of the patients (74.4%). The mean size of the tumors was 2.7 ± 1.8. The surgical margins were free of malignancy in all cases. A total of 5.1% of cases reported a wound infection. A single patient developed loco-regional recurrence. Concerning the cosmetic outcomes, 89.8% of patients reported excellent outcomes and none reported poor or bad results. Conclusions: The racquet mammoplasty technique, when used as an oncoplastic technique, provides oncological safety as well as good cosmetic results for tumors in the lateral breast quadrants.

Enhancing breast cancer surgery outcomes: A comprehensive review of oncoplastic techniques, surgical planning, and aesthetic considerations

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women in Western countries. Historically treated with radical and modified radical surgeries, breast cancer is now primarily managed with breast-conserving surgery combined with postsurgical radiotherapy. Oncoplastic breast surgery, a technique that integrates aesthetic breast reduction methods with cancer surgery, has been developed as a tumor-specific approach to facilitate breast conservation while removing the tumor. This method allows for higher excision volumes with minimal aesthetic compromise. The main components of oncoplastic surgery are volume displacement and volume replacement techniques. This review discusses the essential role of oncoplastic techniques in breast-conserving surgery (BCS), which has evolved into the standard of care for early-stage breast cancer. Understanding these techniques is critical for all breast surgeons to optimize both aesthetic and oncologic outcomes.

Efficacy and safety of oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery versus conventional breast-conserving surgery: An updated meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. The surgical treatment of breast cancer has transitioned progressively from radical mastectomy to breast-conserving surgery. In this meta-analysis, we are aiming to compare oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OS) with conventional breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in terms of efficacy and safety.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane databases, Clinicaltrial.gov, and CNKI until April 30, 2024. Data from cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Outcomes included primary outcomes (re-excision, local recurrence, positive surgical margin, mastectomy), secondary outcomes and safety outcomes. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to evaluate the quality of outcomes.

RESULTS

Our study included 52 studies containing 46,835 patients. Primary outcomes comprise re-excision, local recurrence, positive surgical margin, and mastectomy, there were significant differences favoring OS over BCS (RR 0.68 [0.56, 0.82], RR 0.62 [0.47, 0.82], RR 0.76 [0.59, 0.98], RR 0.66 [0.44, 0.98] respectively), indicating superior efficacy of OS. Additionally, OS demonstrated significant aesthetic benefits (RR 1.17 [1.03, 1.33] and RR 1.34 [1.18, 1.52]). While total complications were significantly fewer in the OS group (RR 0.70 [0.53, 0.94]), the differences in specific complications were not significant. Furthermore, subgroup analyses were conducted based on nationality, sample size, quality, and type.

CONCLUSION

OS demonstrates either superior or at least comparable outcomes across various aspects when compared to BCS.

Local practice variations and payer differences underlie state-wide disparities in oncoplastic breast surgery

BACKGROUND

Little is known about disparities in oncoplastic breast surgery delivery.

METHODS

The Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database was queried for patients who received lumpectomy for a diagnosis of breast cancer. Oncoplastic surgery was defined as adjacent tissue transfer, complex trunk repair, reduction mammoplasty, mastopexy, flap-based reconstruction, prosthesis insertion, or unspecified breast reconstruction after lumpectomy.

RESULTS

We identified 18 748 patients who underwent lumpectomy between 2016 and 2020. Among those, 3140 patients underwent immediate oncoplastic surgery and 436 patients underwent delayed oncoplastic surgery. Eighty-one percent of patients who underwent oncoplastic surgery did so in the same county as they underwent a lumpectomy. However, the relative frequency of oncoplastic surgery varied significantly among counties. In multivariable regression, public insurance status (odds ratio: 0.87, 95% confidence interval: 0.80-0.95, p = 0.002) was associated with lower odds of undergoing oncoplastic surgery, even after adjusting for macromastia, other comorbidities, and county of lumpectomy. Average payments for lumpectomy with oncoplastic surgery were more than twice as high from private insurers ($840 vs. $1942, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Disparities in the receipt of oncoplastic surgery were related to differences in local practice patterns and the type of insurance patients held. Expanding services across counties and considering billing reform may help reduce these disparities.

Complications after Oncoplastic Breast Reduction and Impact on Time to Adjuvant Therapy

Background

Although lumpectomy with oncoplastic breast reduction (OBR) improves cosmetic results and ameliorates symptomatic macromastia, associated complications may delay adjuvant therapy.

Methods

This was a single-institution, retrospective study of OBRs (2015-2021). A major complication was defined as need for IV antibiotics, and/or operation under general anesthesia. Association of complications with delay to adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy, radiation) was assessed.

Results

In total, 282 patients were included. The major complication rate was 3.9%, and overall complication rate was 31.2%. The most common complication was incisional dehiscence (23.4%). Body mass index [BMI >35 (P < 0.0001)], diabetes (P = 0.02), and HgbA1c [>6.5 (P = 0.0002)] were significantly associated with having a major complication. The occurrence of any complication was associated with a delay in time to radiation (median 7 versus 8 weeks, P < 0.001). The occurrence of a major complication was associated with a more meaningful delay to radiation (median 7 versus 15 weeks, P = 0.002). Occurrence of any complication, or a major complication, was not associated with delay to chemotherapy.

Conclusions

The overall complication rate observed after OBR falls within the range reported in the literature. Patients with a BMI more than 35, diabetes, and/or HgbA1c more than 6.5 were at increased risk for a major complication, which was associated with a meaningful delay to radiation. Consideration may be given to partial mastectomy alone without oncoplastic reduction in patients with small tumors when the priority to avoid radiation delay is high (eg, high-risk tumors), or the risk of delay is high (eg, diabetic or BMI >35).

Publication Trends in Aesthetic Breast Surgery: A Bibliometric Analysis

Background

Aesthetic breast surgery (ABS) encompasses breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastopexy, and mastopexy augmentation. This topic has seldom been assessed as a bibliometric study. This analysis aims to address this gap and identify trends in ABS literature to guide future research areas. Bibliometrics, the quantitative analysis of publications, particularly scholarly literature, offers valuable insights into research trends and impact.

Objectives

This analysis aims to address this gap and identify trends in ABS literature to guide future research areas.

Methods

The 100 most-cited publications in ABS were identified on Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics, Philadelphia, PA), across all available journal years (from 1953 to 2024). Study details, including the citation count, main content focus, and outcome measures, were extracted and tabulated from each publication. The Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine and levels of evidence (LOE) of each study were assessed.

Results

The 100 most-cited publications in ABS were cited by a total of 11,522 publications. Citations per publication ranged from 46 to 1211 (mean 115.2 ± 135.7), with the highest-cited study being the Pusic BREAST-Q paper (n = 1211). A majority of publications were LOE 4 (n = 30), representative of the large number of case series. The number of publications for LOE 5, 3, 2, and 1 was 12, 28, 21, and 9, respectively. The main content focus was "outcomes" in 52 publications, followed by "nonoperative management" (n = 12) and "surgical technique" (n = 12). Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were used in 29 publications, and 53 publications reported aesthetic outcome measures.

Conclusions

This analysis highlights that research methodologies in ABS studies should be improved. This necessary improvement would be facilitated by vigorous, high-quality research, and the implementation of validated ABS-specific PROMs enhancing patient satisfaction, particularly in aesthetic procedures, such as BREAST-Q.

Level of Evidence 4

The Modified Frailty Index Predicts Major Complications in Oncoplastic Reduction Mammoplasty

BACKGROUND

An important component of preoperative counseling and patient selection involves surgical risk stratification. There are many tools developed to predict surgical complications. The Modified Frailty Index (mFI) calculates risk based on the following five elements: hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and functional status. Recent literature demonstrates the efficacy of the mFI across multiple surgical disciplines. We elected to investigate its utility in oncoplastic reductions (OCR).

METHODS

A retrospective review of all patients with breast cancer who underwent OCR from 1998 to 2020 was queried from a prospectively maintained database. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and surgical details were reviewed. The mFI was computed for each patient. The primary clinical outcome was the development of complications.

RESULTS

547 patients were included in the study cohort. The average age was 55 and the average body mass index was 33.5. The overall complication rate was 19% (n = 105) and the major complication rate was 9% (n = 49). Higher frailty scores were significantly associated with the development of major complications (P < 0.05). mFI scores of 0 had a major complication rate of 5.7%; scores of 1, 13%; and scores of 2, 15.1%. The relative risk of a major complication in patients with elevated mFI (>0) was 2.2. Age, body mass index, and resection weights were not associated with complications (P = 0.15, P = 0.87, and P = 0.30 respectively) on continuous analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated mFI scores are associated with an increased major complication profile in patients who are undergoing OCR. Hypertension and diabetes are the most common comorbidities in our population, and this tool may assist with preoperative counseling and risk stratification. Benefits of this risk assessment tool include its ease of calculation and brevity. Our study is the first to demonstrate its utility in OCR; however, further study in high-risk patients would strengthen the applicability of this frailty index.

Oncoplastic Breast Conservation for Central Tumors: Definition, Classification, and the Analysis of Single Institution Experience

Background

Tumors in the central part of the breast are usually considered more aggressive and technically difficult, which limits breast conservation. The definition of central tumors from a surgical point of view, classification of the techniques for partial breast reconstruction, and conceptual algorithm of choice based on tumor and breast characteristics are proposed, along with the estimation of surgical and oncological safety.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of the single-institution experience, with a focus on the decision-making process for choosing the oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery technique. To evaluate the safety of breast conservation for central tumors, a comparative analysis of early surgical complications and oncological long-term results of treatment in patients with central breast tumor location and other breast tumor locations was performed.

Results

A total of 940 lumpectomies were performed in 926 patients during 15 years. The central breast tumor location group included 128 patients with 130 lumpectomies (13.8%), and the other breast tumor locations group included 798 patients with 810 lumpectomies (86.2%). We did not find any significant differences in the rate of early surgical complications and involved margins, local and systemic recurrence rates, time to progression, or overall survival between the groups.

Conclusions

Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery is a safe procedure for the treatment of central tumors. In our opinion, the proposed classification of partial breast reconstruction techniques and an algorithm of their choice allow for effective restoration of the breast shape and volume according to the parameters of the tumor, breast, surgeon, and patient preferences.

Effect of Delayed Oncoplastic Reduction Mammoplasty on Radiation Treatment Delay Following Breast-Conserving Surgery for Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the delay in initiating adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in patients with early-stage breast cancer who underwent oncoplastic reduction mammoplasty (ORM) following BCS compared with a matched cohort of patients who did not undergo ORM between BCS and RT.

METHODS

Medical records of 112 women (56 ORMs and 56 matched non-ORMs) with carcinoma in situ or early-stage breast cancer treated with BCS were reviewed. ORM was performed in a delayed manner following BCS, allowing confirmation of negative surgical margins. Time to RT was defined as time from last oncologic surgery to start of RT.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 6.8 years for the ORM cohort and 6.7 years for the control non-ORM cohort. Patients who underwent ORM following BCS experienced a significant delay in initiating RT (>8 weeks) than matched patients not undergoing ORM (66% vs. 34%; p < 0.001). Wound complications occurred in 44.6% (n = 25) of patients in the ORM cohort, which were mostly minor, including delayed wound healing and/or infection (39%). There was no significant difference in local recurrence between patients in the non-ORM and ORM cohorts (p = 0.32).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that ORM following BCS has the potential to delay RT >8 weeks, largely as a result of increased risk of wound complications; however, this delay did not impact local control. ORM can be safely considered for appropriately selected patients with breast cancer.

Modern Approaches to Oncoplastic Surgical Treatment

Partial breast reconstruction using oncoplastic techniques is performed at the time of lumpectomy and includes volume replacement techniques such as flaps and volume displacement techniques such as reduction and mastopexy. These techniques are used to preserve breast shape, contour, size, symmetry, inframammary fold position, and position of the nipple-areolar complex. Newer techniques such as auto-augmentation flaps and perforator flaps continue to broaden options and newer radiation therapy protocols will hopefully reduce side effects. Options for the oncoplastic approach now include higher risk patients as there is a larger repository of data on the safety and efficacy of this technique.

Oncoplastic level II volume displacement surgery for breast cancer: oncological and aesthetic outcomes

Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) is increasingly used to treat breast cancer with the dual purpose of performing a radical oncological resection while minimizing the risk of post-operative deformities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the patient outcomes after Level II OBCS as regards oncological safety and patient satisfaction. Between 2015 and 2020, a cohort of 109 women consecutively underwent treatment for breast cancer with bilateral oncoplastic breast-conserving volume displacement surgery; patient satisfaction was measured with BREAST-Q questionnaire. The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 97% (95%CI 92, 100) and 94% (95%CI 90, 99), respectively. In two patients (1.8%), mastectomy was finally performed due to margin involvement. The median patient-reported score for "satisfaction with breast" (BREAST-Q) was 74/100. Factors associated with a lower aesthetic satisfaction index included: location of tumour in central quadrant (p = 0.007); triple negative breast cancer (p = 0.045), and re-intervention (p = 0.044). OBCS represents a valid option in terms of oncological outcomes for patients otherwise candidate to more extensive breast conserving surgery; the high satisfaction index also suggests a superiority in terms of aesthetic outcomes.

Oncoplastic versus conventional breast-conserving surgery in breast cancer: a pooled analysis of 6941 female patients

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women. In the past few years, surgical interventions for breast cancer have experienced massive changes from radical excision to conserving approaches. In this study, we aim to compare the two breast surgery interventions, including conventional breast-conserving surgery (CBCS) versus oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OPBCS).

METHODS

We searched on PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane till 2 October 2021. All relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were included. The data were extracted and pooled using Review Manager software (RevMan 5.4).

RESULTS

The pooled meta-analysis of the included studies showed that OPBCS was significantly superior to CBCS in most of the outcomes. Re-excision significantly favoured CBCS (RR = 0.49, 95% CI [0.37, 0.63], P < 0.00001). However, local recurrence (RR = 0.55, 95% CI [0.27, 1.09], P = 0.09), close surgical margins (RR = 0.37, 95% CI [0.14, 1.00], P = 0.05) and end up to the risk of mastectomy (RR = 0.73, 95% CI [0.54, 97], P = 0.06) showed no significant difference between both techniques. Notably, while performing a sensitivity analysis, other outcomes as local recurrence, significantly showed favourable results towards OPBCS. In terms of safety outcomes, there was no significant difference between OPBCS and CBCS.

CONCLUSION

We recommend the oncoplastic approach rather than the conventional one in females with breast cancer. Re-excision rates showed better results following OPBCS.

Revisiting Reduction Mammaplasty: Complications of Oncoplastic and Symptomatic Macromastia Reductions

BACKGROUND

Oncoplastic breast reduction has been shown to be an effective and safe approach to breast conservation surgery in women with macromastia. However, there remains a paucity of data investigating the comparative outcomes. This study seeks to delineate the complication profiles for oncoplastic and symmetrizing breast reductions versus mammaplasty for benign macromastia.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of all consecutively performed reduction mammaplasty cases at a single institution by two plastic surgeons over a 2-year period.

RESULTS

A total of 632 breasts were analyzed: 502 reduction mammaplasties, 85 symmetrizing reductions, and 45 oncoplastic reductions in 342 patients. Mean age was 43.9 ± 15.93 years, mean body mass index was 29.15 ± 5.66 kg/m2, and mean reduction weight was 610.03 ± 313.13 g. Regarding surgical technique, a medial pedicle was used in 86% of cases. There were similar postoperative complication outcomes for nipple necrosis, wound healing, scar revision, fat necrosis, seroma, hematoma, and overall complication rates for all procedures. However, the rate of postoperative revision among reduction mammaplasty (2%), oncoplastic reduction (6.7%), and symmetrizing reduction (5.9%) was significantly different (P = 0.027). In univariate analysis, diabetes (P = 0.011), smoking (P = 0.007), higher body mass index (P = 0.003), larger reduction weight (P = 0.011), longer nipple-to-inframammary fold measurement (P = 0.014), and longer sternal notch-to-nipple measurement (P = 0.039) were all significant risk factors for a surgical complication in reductions performed for any indication. Using a multivariate logistic regression model, diabetes (P = 0.047), smoking (P = 0.025), and higher body mass index (P = 0.002) were all retained as statistically significant risk factors.

CONCLUSION

The complication profiles for both oncoplastic breast reductions and breast reductions for symptomatic macromastia are similar and acceptably low.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, III.

The no-vertical scar technique for oncoplastic breast reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

Oncoplastic reconstruction can optimize breast conserving therapy. Nipple loss is a concern in patients with significant ptosis and breast hypertrophy particularly with pedicle undermining during tumor resection. The modified Robertson technique (No-Vertical Scar reduction) has been previously described for breast reduction in large, ptotic patients using a wide, bell-shaped inferior pedicle with only inframammary fold and peri‑areolar incisions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the No-Vertical Scar (NVS) technique applied to oncoplastic reconstruction.

METHODS

Women undergoing oncoplastic breast reduction using a NVS, Wise, or Vertical method were assessed. Predictive variables included patient demographics, comorbidities, and sternal notch to nipple (SNN) distance. Outcome variables were delayed wound healing, surgical site infection, seroma, fat necrosis, nipple necrosis, use of a free nipple graft, and time between surgery and adjuvant radiation.

RESULTS

Fifty patients met inclusion criteria using NVS (N = 15), Wise (N = 16), and Vertical (N = 19) methods. The NVS group had a significantly higher BMI (p=.009), greater sternal notch to nipple distance (p=<0.001) and increased resection volume (p=<0.001) as compared to Wise and Vertical groups. There was no significant difference in complications (p=.25). No nipple necrosis occurred, and no free nipple grafts were required.

CONCLUSION

The NVS approach is a useful technique for oncoplastic reconstruction in select patients with macromastia and severe Grade II or Grade III ptosis. The wide, bell-shaped pedicle is versatile for obliterating a lumpectomy cavity and optimizing nipple perfusion if pedicle undermining occurs during resection.

Outcomes of Margin Reexcision after Oncoplastic Breast Reduction

Tissue rearrangement after an oncoplastic breast reduction may complicate identification of margins during reexcision. Little is known about outcomes of reoperation in this setting.

Breast-conserving surgery with the geometric compensation/split reduction technique. Indications, oncologic safety and cosmesis. A cohort series and systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

The Geometric Compensation Technique (GCT) and the Split Reduction Technique (SRT) enables breast conserving surgery (BCS) in selected patients with breast cancer initially candidates to mastectomy.

METHODS

Observational study of patients with breast cancer who underwent GCT consecutively treated. Evaluated retrospectively: indications, clinical characteristics, surgical features and recurrences. Cosmesis were evaluated prospectively by the BCCT.core software, Harris/Harvard and Garbay scales. Descriptive statistics were performed, chi-square test was used to compare aesthetic outcomes; Kappa and Weighted Kappa test was used to assess agreement between the postoperative evaluations; Kaplan-Meier model for follow-up and recurrence. A systematic review was carried out using PRISMA methodology.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients were evaluated, 26 (72.2%) with medium/large breasts with or without ptosis, seven (19.4%) with small breasts with or without ptosis, a profile undergoing GCT not previously identified in the literature. The mean tumor clinical size was 3.65 ± 1.59 cm. 34 (94.4%) patients underwent GCT. Mean follow-up time was 36.6 ± 16.8 months, with no local recurrences. According to BCCT.core, the postoperative aesthetic was good in 17 (51.5%) patients and 11 (33.3%) was reasonable. In the systematic review, 3.584 articles were evaluated, 20 articles were selected, 243 patients undergoing GCT were found, with several indications for BCS instead of mastectomy, with high rates of free margins, low recurrence and good aesthetic outcomes.

CONCLUSION

GCT, an oncologically safe and aesthetically satisfactory option, has been extended to patients with small and medium breasts with ptosis, large tumors to breast volume or in unfavorable resection sites, initially candidates for mastectomy.

Long-term oncological outcomes of oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery after a 10-year follow-up – a single center experience and systematic literature review

Aim

While many studies reported the oncological outcomes of oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS), there were inherent differences in the study population, surgeons’ expertise, and classifications of techniques used. There were also limited studies with long term follow up oncological outcomes beyond 5 years. This current study aimed to compare long-term oncological outcomes of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) following conventional and oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery using volume displacement and replacement techniques.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2013, 539 consecutive patients who underwent breast conservation surgery including 174 oncoplastic and 376 conventional procedures were analysed. A systematic review of studies with at least five years of median follow up were performed to compare long term oncological outcomes.

Results

At a median follow-up of 82.4 months, there were 23 (4.2%) locoregional recurrences, 17 (3.2%) metachronous contralateral breast cancer, 26 (4.8%) distant metastases, and 13 (2.4%) deaths. The hazard ratio of OBCS for IBTR, DFS and OS were 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21–2.94, p=0.78), 1.59 (95% CI, 0.88 to 2.87, p=0.12), and 2.1 (95% CI, 0.72 to 5.9, p=0.17) respectively. The 10-year IBTR-free, DFS and OS rate were 97.8%, 86.2%, and 95.7% respectively.

Conclusion

There remained a dearth in well-balanced comparative studies with sufficient long-term follow-up, and our study reported long-term oncological outcomes for OBCS which were favourable of either VD or replacement techniques.

Breast and Thyroid Surgery in 2021 and Beyond

Several studies in the literature report the association between breast and thyroid pathologies; however, the underlying causes (genetic, environmental, hormonal or immunological) have not yet been well explicated [...]

Oncoplastic Level II Surgical Techniques for Breast Cancer Treatment: Long-Term Outcomes

Background

Problems in patients who could not get adequate surgical margins (SM) and good cosmetic results with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) have been overcome with the introduction of oncoplastic surgery (OPS) methods. The purpose of this study was the documentation of level II techniques and the presentation of long-term survival results.

Methods

The data on patients who had been prospectively registered in the database between 2007 and 2017 and who had been treated with level II OPS due to invasive breast cancer were examined.

Results

A total of 1,074 patients were included in the study. The most commonly applied level II oncoplastic techniques were performed in the upper outer quadrantectomy with racquet incision in 334 (31%) patients, inferior pedicle flaps in 294 (27.3%), and vertical mammoplasty in 140 (13%). Reexcision was performed in 96 patients (8.9%). Total breast conservation rate was 96%. Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 88%, local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) 93.6%, and overall survival (OS) 96%. Ten-year DFS was 72%, LRFS 85.4%, and OS 90.2%.

Conclusion

Level II OPS techniques have low reoperation and complication rates and a high rate of breast protection. The success of these techniques has been demonstrated in terms of long-term local control. Awareness of the fact that many patients who undergo OPS will not lose their breasts should be created, and regular training programs for OPS techniques should be conducted especially in developing countries. By revealing these results, it is hoped that the OPS and breast conservation rates will increase.

Aesthetic monitoring-based assessment of oncological safety of oncoplastic management of breast cancer: a multi-center research study

BACKGROUND

Oncoplastic Breast surgeries (OBS) in breast cancer have evolved to preserve the cancerous breast rather than its amputation to improve postoperative cosmetic results. The lack of evidence to support the oncological safety and benefits of OBS is questionable. In this study, we evaluate various aspects of oncoplastic surgeries with a focused monitoring of aesthetic results and oncological safety.

METHODS

This was a multi-center observational study focused on the statistics of data collected from cases who underwent oncoplastic surgeries from the cohort of breast cancer candidates at Mansoura University Hospitals/Egypt and King Faisal Medical Complex/KSA from January 2015 to June 2018. All data were analyzed carefully using SPSS v-26.

RESULTS

Eighty cases who underwent different oncoplastic surgeries were included and reviewed for the aesthetic outcome and oncological safety. The recurrence rate was found to be 2.5%. The breast impact treatment scale assessment method was used to analyze the aesthetic outcomes, and average scores were accepted in 90% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The oncoplastic breast surgeries are feasible and they had a high rate of oncological safety with the maintenance of good aesthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Secondary Surgeries After Oncoplastic Reduction Mammoplasty

PURPOSE

The oncoplastic reduction approach is a popular option for women with breast cancer and macromastia. Although the benefits of this approach are numerous, data on the need for secondary surgeries are limited. We evaluated the need for all secondary surgeries after oncoplastic reduction in an attempt to understand the incidence and indications.

METHODS

All patients with breast cancer who underwent an oncoplastic breast reduction at the time of the tumor resection were queried from a prospectively maintained database from 1998 to 2020 (n = 547) at a single institution. Secondary surgical procedures were defined as any unplanned return to the operating room. Demographic and clinical variables were analyzed, and secondary surgeries were classified and evaluated. The timing and rates of secondary surgery were evaluated and compared with clinical variables.

RESULTS

There were 547 patients included in this series with a mean age of 55 years and body mass index of 33.5. Mean duration of follow-up was 3.8 years. One hundred and seventeen (21%) patients underwent 235 secondary surgeries, with an average of 1.4 operations until stable reconstruction was obtained. The reason for the secondary surgery was involved margins (7.5%), major complications (8.6%), aesthetic improvement (13.3%), and completion mastectomy (5.3%). Age 65 years and younger age was associated with any subsequent procedure (P = 0.023) and revision for cosmesis (P = 0.006). Patients with body mass index greater than 35 had increased secondary surgeries for operative complications (P = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

Secondary surgeries after oncoplastic breast reduction procedures are common. Management of margins and complications, such as hematoma and infection, are early indications, with aesthetic improvement, wound healing complications, fat necrosis, and recurrence being late reasons. The most common reason for reoperation is aesthetic improvement, especially in younger patients. Attention to surgical technique and patient selection will help minimize secondary surgeries for the nononcological reasons.

Oncological Safety, Surgical Outcome, and Patient Satisfaction of Oncoplastic Breast-Conserving Surgery With Contralateral Balancing Reduction Mammoplasty

Introduction

Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) is considered a cornerstone in the management of locally invasive breast cancer. We evaluated patient-reported outcomes of OBCS with contralateral balancing breast reduction mammoplasty and reviewed its oncologic outcomes and complications.

Methods

This is mixed method study design using retrospective chart review and prospective cohort study. Patient demographics were reviewed. Outcome measures included clinicopathologic characteristics, complications, margin status, local recurrence, tumor histopathologies, duration of follow-up, patient satisfaction, self-esteem, event-related stress, and quality of life.

Results

A total of 48 patients were included in this study. Complete excision with negative margins was obtained in 42 (87.5%) patients, positive margins in 6 (12.5%) patients, all who had re-excision with repeat lumpectomy. Thirteen patients developed minor complications, defined as being managed as an outpatient. No patients developed major complications requiring inpatient admission. These complications did not delay commencement of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Postsurgery BREAST-Q^TM26 scores demonstrated no statistical difference in satisfaction with breasts, nipples, and sexual well-being. There was high satisfaction with overall outcome with average score of 80.8%. For the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, the results were similar for 3- and 12-month post-operative indicating maintenance of normal self-esteem post-operatively. The Impact of Events Scale showed statistically significant difference at 12-month post-operative (25.1) when compared with preoperative scores indicating that patients had lower event-related stress. There was no significant change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Conclusion

Our study has shown that the patient who undergo OBCS have high patient-reported outcomes with acceptable oncologic outcomes and complication rates.

Reduction Mammoplasty Approach to Oncoplasty-Zone-Wise Planning in Indian Patients

Introduction This article is an attempt to formulate certain guidelines for planning of zone-wise reconstruction after breast conservation surgery. The planning involves applying reduction mammoplasty principles with certain modifications to address the defect.

Patients and Methods This is a retrospective study of 61 patients with breast cancer who underwent breast conservation surgery and reconstruction of partial breast defects with oncoplastic techniques between January 2014 to March 2019. Patients having low tumor to breast ratio and thus good candidates for volume displacement techniques were included in the study.

Results A total of 61 breast cancer cases were included; 22 cases were located in zone 1, nine in zone 2, seven in zone 3, three in zone 4, four in zone 5, one in zone 6, 12 in zone 7, two in zone 8, and three in zone 9. The most common pedicle design used was superomedial in 38 cases, followed by inferior in 19 and medial in 6 cases. Vertical short scar technique was used in 33 cases and Wise pattern skin incision in 30 cases. Follow-up period ranged from 4 months to 65 months, with a mean of 31 months. Four patients had partial skin necrosis, three had suture line dehiscence, two had wound infection, one had seroma, and eight patients had fat necrosis. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome.

Conclusion Breast oncoplastic techniques are effective, reliable, oncologically safe, and conducted with minimal complications in patients with moderately large ptotic breasts, thereby making planning easier and more reproducible by following the reconstruction procedures described in the article. We believe that these techniques should be incorporated in the armamentarium of every plastic surgeon to manage the defects created after breast conservation surgery, in order to achieve the best cosmetic outcomes.

Validated prediction model for positive resection margins in breast-conserving surgery based exclusively on preoperative data

Background

Positive margins after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and subsequent second surgery are associated with increased costs and patient discomfort. The aim of this study was to develop a prediction model for positive margins based on risk factors available before surgery.

Methods

Patients undergoing BCS for in situ or invasive cancer between 2015 and 2016 at site A formed a development cohort; those operated during 2017 in site A and B formed two validation cohorts. MRI was not used routinely. Preoperative radiographic and tumour characteristics and method of operation were collected from patient charts. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop a prediction model for positive margins including variables with discriminatory capacity identified in a univariable model. The discrimination and calibration of the prediction model was assessed in the validation cohorts, and a nomogram developed.

Results

There were 432 patients in the development cohort, and 190 and 157 in site A and B validation cohorts respectively. Positive margins were identified in 77 patients (17.8 per cent) in the development cohort. A non-linear transformation of mammographic tumour size and six variables (visible on mammography, ductal carcinoma in situ, lobular invasive cancer, distance from nipple–areola complex, calcification, and type of surgery) were included in the final prediction model, which had an area under the curve of 0.80 (95 per cent c.i. 0.75 to 0.85). The discrimination and calibration of the prediction model was assessed in the validation cohorts, and a nomogram developed.

Conclusion

The prediction model showed good ability to predict positive margins after BCS and might, after further validation, be used before surgery in centres without the routine use of preoperative MRI.

Presented in part to the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Texas, USA, December 2018 and the Swedish Surgical Society Annual Meeting, Helsingborg, Sweden, August 2018.

Evolving Trends in Surgical Management of Breast Cancer: An Analysis of 30 Years of Practice Changing Papers

The management of breast cancer has evolved into a multidisciplinary evidence-based surgical speciality, with emphasis on conservative surgery. A number of landmark trials have established lumpectomy followed by radiation as the standard of care for many patients. The aim of this study is to construct a narrative review of recent developments in the surgical management of breast cancer and how such developments have impacted surgical practice. A comprehensive literature search of Pubmed was conducted. The latest search was performed on October 31^st, 2020. Search terms “breast cancer” were used in combinations with specific key words and Boolean operators relating to surgical management. The reference lists of retrieved articles were comprehensively screened for additional eligible publications. Articles were selected and reviewed based on relevance. We selected publications in the past 10 years but did not exclude commonly referenced and highly regarded previous publications. Review articles and book chapters were also cited to provide reference on details not discussed in the academic literature. This article reviews the current evidence in surgical management of early-stage breast cancer, discusses recent trends in surgical practice for therapeutic and prophylactic procedures and provides commentary on implications and factors associated with these trends.

Breast-Conserving Therapy Has Better Prognosis for Tumors in the Central and Nipple Portion of Breast Cancer Compared with Mastectomy: A SEER Data-Based Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Currently, the location of primary tumor was an independent prognostic factor of breast cancer. Tumors in the central and nipple portion (TCNP) had poor prognosis compared to other peripheral quadrants. The breast-conserving therapy (BCT) is becoming increasingly common worldwide in breast cancer operations. However, whether the availability of BCT was performed for TCNP remained a matter of debate. We sought to investigate whether BCT was suitable for TCNP with respect to survival outcomes, compared with mastectomy therapy.

METHODS

Utilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we obtained TCNP breast cancer patients diagnosed during the period of 2010-2015. One-to-one (1:1) propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to construct a matched sample consisting of pairs of BCT and mastectomy groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were applied to estimate the factors associated with breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS). Survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

In the overall cohort, a total of 9,900 patients were enrolled. We found that patients with BCT showed significantly better BCSS (log-rank, p < 0.001) and OS (log-rank, p < 0.001) than the mastectomy group before PSM. The same finding was also shown in 5,820 patients after PSM. Additionally, none of the subgroups, including age, sex, race, histological grade, AJCC stage, and molecular subtype undergoing mastectomy therapy, had better BCSS than BCT.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study was the first research to show that BCT exhibited superior prognosis in the cohort of TCNP from SEER databases than mastectomy therapy. This finding could provide a cue for treatment strategies for suitable TCNP patients, especially those with a strong willingness to conserve their breasts.

Prediction of Local Recurrence After Oncoplastic Breast Surgery: Analysis of a Large Cohort

BACKGROUND

Oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS) is becoming an acceptable procedure for the surgical treatment of breast cancer; however, its safety and recurrence rate still need further clarification. This study evaluates the rate of local recurrence and its predictive factors after OBS in a large series of patients. Materials and methods This study was conducted between January 2008 and June 2018 in two centers in Iran. Patients underwent OBS, and baseline characteristics were recorded. Patients underwent regular follow-up; local recurrence rate, median time, and the hazard ratio of predictive factors were calculated. Also, a multivariate analysis was performed. Results A total of 676 patients with a mean age of 48 ± 10.7 y were included. The median follow-up time was 26.4 (first, third IQR: 13.2, 45.6) mo, and 37 (5.5%) patients were diagnosed with local recurrence. The median time to local recurrence was 22.0 (first, third IQR: 16.0, 32.8) mo. Pathological N stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, overexpression of HER2, and one surgery technique was associated with a higher risk of recurrence, while the expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor (PR) decreased the risk of recurrence. PR status, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and pathological N stage remained significant in the final model for recurrence on multivariate analysis. Conclusion OBS is a safe technique with an acceptable risk of local recurrence. PR status, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and pathological N stage can predict recurrence in these patients with an acceptable power.

Outcomes of Asian Women Treated With Grisotti Flap Reconstruction for Centrally Located Breast Cancers: 5-Years Single Institutional Experience

INTRODUCTION

Breast conserving surgeries were previously contraindicated for central breast cancers because of poor cosmetic outcomes of central mastectomy without oncoplastic surgery. Grisotti flap is a breast-conserving surgery incorporating oncoplastic surgery technique for centrally located breast cancers. We present our experience and outcome from Breast Surgery Unit, University Malaya Medical Center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective analysis of 15 patients with central retroareolar breast cancer operated from 2012 to 2018 in University Malaya Medical Center. We assessed postoperative complications, margins, locoregional recurrence, and survival outcome. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Patients were followed-up 1 week, 1 month, 3 monthly for 1 year and 6 monthly for 5 years.

RESULTS

Mean age of patients is 62 years. Mean follow-up is 51 months (15-84 months). All tumors were less than 5 cm (1-2.5 cm). Majority of the patients are stage 1 (6 patients/40%) and stage 2 (8 patients/ 53.3%). 2 patients had surgical site infection resolved with antibiotics. One patient had hematoma. None require reoperation. Tumor margins were clear in all patients. No locoregional recurrence. Overall survival is 100%. All are satisfied with their cosmetic outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Grisotti flap is a volume displacement technique, which provides satisfactory cosmetic outcome for centrally located breast cancer. This evolutionary thinking leads us to changes in existing techniques with the purpose of achieving oncological safety while reaching for better esthetic results. Our 5 years' experience in Asian population showed that this technique is oncologically safe with good cosmetic outcomes and could be used selectively. It provides a good alternative in patients who are otherwise subjected for mastectomy. This relatively simple technique is a worthwhile endeavor and should be offered when feasible.

Oncoplastic breast-conservative surgery for breast cancers: a uni-institutional case-control study

The current study was designed to compare oncological outcomes between oncoplastic (OBCS) and conventional breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Data collected retrospectively from two groups of patients diagnosed with breast cancer, cases group (OBCS) and control group (BCS), were analyzed. A total of 277 women were included in the analysis: 193 (69.7%) in the cases group and 84 (30.3%) in the control group. Resected volume was larger in the OBCS group (438.05 ± 302.26 cm³ vs 223.34 ± 161.75 cm³; p < 0.001). Re-excision was required for 7.1% of patients receiving BCS versus 4.7% in the OBCS group (p = 0.402). After long-term follow up, no local recurrences occurred in the OBCS group, while 2.4% of patients receiving BCS had local relapse (p = 0.045). Compared with BCS, OBCS increases oncological safety in terms of re-excision rate and local recurrence.

Relationship Between Financial Toxicity and Surgical Treatment for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Comparison of Breast-Conserving Therapy and Mastectomy

BACKGROUND

Financial toxicity (FT) can lead to decreased quality of life and poor treatment outcomes. However, there is limited published data on the extent to which the various surgical treatment approaches for early-stage breast cancer are determinants for FT.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a single-institution cross-sectional survey of adult female patients with stage 0 to II breast cancer undergoing unilateral breast-conserving therapy or unilateral mastectomy. FT was measured using the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) survey. Propensity matching was performed to optimize comparability of study groups. A multivariate regression model was used to identify factors associated with worsening FT as a robustness check. Our secondary end point was prevalence of coping strategies associated with cost of cancer care.

RESULTS

Among 294 patients who met inclusion criteria, 203 underwent breast-conserving therapy and 91 received mastectomy. We generated 72 total matched pairs and noted no differences in demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Of these, 55 pairs had complete COST information, which was comparable on adjusted analysis (26.6 vs 24.7; p = 0.481). High annual income (β = 4.83; p < 0.001) and supplemental insurance (β = 5.37; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher COST scores, while change in employment status (β = -4.81; p < 0.001) correlated significantly with lower COST scores. No significant differences were observed in coping strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Choice of BCT or mastectomy was not associated with a differential risk for FT in early-stage cancer. Decisions on ablative approach should be made based on patient preferences and disease-specific criteria. Transparent counseling on FT for high-risk populations promotes patient-centricity.

Comparative study of surgical and oncological outcomes in oncoplastic versus non oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer treatment

Background: Oncoplastic surgery has been increasingly used in breast cancer treatment and allows the performance of breast-conserving surgery in cases of larger tumors with unfavorable location or tumor-breast disproportion. Purpose: To compare surgical and oncological outcomes of patients undergoing oncoplastic and nononcoplastic breast-conserving surgery. Methods: Retrospective cohort study with convenience sampling of 866 patients who consecutively underwent breast-conserving surgery from 2011 to 2015. Results: The mean follow-up was 50.4 months. Nononcoplastic breast conservation surgery was performed on 768 (88.7%) patients and oncoplastic surgery on 98 (11.3%) patients. Patients in the oncoplastic group were younger (p<0.0001) and most were premenopausal (p<0.0001). Comorbidities such as diabetes (p=0.003) and hypertension (p=0.0001) were less frequent in this population. Invasive carcinoma >2 cm (p<0.0001), multifocality (p=0.004), ductal in situ carcinoma (p=0.0007), clinically positive axilla (p=0.004), and greater weight of surgical specimens (p<0.0001) were more frequent in the oncoplastic group. A second surgery for margin re-excision was more frequently performed in the nononcoplastic group (p=0.027). There was more scar dehiscence in the oncoplastic group (p<0.001), but there was no difference in early major complications (p=0.854), conversion to mastectomy (p=0.92), or local recurrence (p=0.889). Conclusion: Although used for the treatment of larger and multifocal tumors, surgical re-excisions were performed less often in the oncoplastic group, and there was no increase in conversion to mastectomy or local recurrence. In spite of the higher rate of overall complications in the oncoplastic group, major complications were similar in both groups.

Considerations in Oncoplastic Surgery

The development of oncoplastic surgery (OPS) is one of the greatest achievements for the treatment of breast cancer. OPS combines oncological resection with plastic surgery techniques in a single procedure to allow the excision of tumors without compromising cosmetic outcome. It allows better aesthetic-functional outcomes and consequently an improvement of the psychological aspects of patients with breast cancer.OPS begins with preoperative design considering breast volume, tumor size, and location and distance from nipple of the tumor, with clinical breast examination and image studies. Various techniques of volume replacement and volume displacement methods described here can help the decision-making process so the best results concerning the aesthetic-functional aspects can be achieved.The outcome measurement of the oncoplastic breast surgery consisted of local recurrence, cosmesis, and patients satisfaction. In OPS for breast cancer patients, aesthetic assessment could be performed by various methods. And questionnaires on quality of life can be applied as a scientific method to assess results. In this chapter, we introduced our results of assessment of both aesthetic and QOL outcomes in OPS patients.

Feasibility of level II oncoplastic techniques in the surgical management of locally advanced breast cancer after neoadjuvant treatment

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to identify the short- and long-term oncological results and complications of level-II oncoplastic surgery (OPS) techniques applied after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for locally advanced breast cancer.

METHODS

Patients undergoing OPS because of breast cancer (non-NAC) and those undergoing OPS after systemic treatment (NAC) were evaluated. Surgical margin (SM) status, reoperation and re-excision requirements, axillary intervention results, ipsilateral tumour recurrence, axillary recurrence rates and early postoperative complications were recorded. Long-term locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of the patients were analysed.

RESULTS

There were 1043 patients (893 patients in the non-NAC group and 150 in the NAC group) in the study. There were no significant differences in SM status, re-excision and mastectomy rates between the groups. The 5-year (LRFS) rate was 90.1% in the NAC group and 93.2% in the non-NAC group (P: .09). OS was shorter in the NAC group. Five-year OS rate was 96% in the non-NAC group and 92% in the NAC group (P: .01). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of delayed wound healing, minor wound infection, fat necrosis, seroma/hematoma, partial nipple necrosisor T-junction necrosis.

CONCLUSION

It should be noted that the responses to NAC increased with targeted therapies, and breast-conserving became possible in a substantial number of patients who were not eligible for breast-conserving surgery at the first presentation. Notably, oncoplastic surgery increased breast conservation rates without compromising oncological results.

Oncoplastic partial breast reconstruction: concepts and techniques

Immediate oncoplastic breast reconstruction performed at the time of breast conserving surgery for the treatment of breast cancer merges the therapeutic goals of complete oncologic extirpation with preservation of breast form and function. A constellation of surgical techniques that employs breast volume displacement and/or replacement methods of varying complexity levels have emerged, thus broadening the potential applications for breast conservation therapy to include cases with increased tumor-to-native breast-volume ratios, multicentric or multifocal disease, and/or previous margin-positive resections. This review describes the various reconstructive methods, including the use of local tissue rearrangement, oncoplastic reduction-mastopexy, and locoregional flaps. Classification of the surgical options into levels I and II volume-displacement and volume-replacing techniques is made. Additionally, we explore the oncologic safety and effectiveness of this treatment paradigm by summarizing existing supportive evidence regarding associated risk of surgical complications, rate of margin-positive resection, implications for radiographic surveillance, local recurrence rates, and patient-reported outcomes. In conclusion, surgeons may use a wide variety of oncoplastic techniques for partial breast reconstruction at the time of segmental mastectomy to deliver effective breast conserving treatment for women with breast cancer. A growing body of literature affirms the oncologic safety of this approach. Future directions for research include long-term follow-up data with emphasis on outcomes from patient perspectives.

Is Autologous Fat Grafting an Oncologically Safe Procedure following Breast Conserving Surgery for Breast Cancer? A Comprehensive Review

BACKGROUND

Autologous fat grafting (AFG) is a recognized surgical procedure to correct deformities following breast conservation surgery (BCS) for breast cancer. However, there are concerns about the oncological safety of this technique. In this study we have reviewed the current literature to assess whether AFG adversely influences the oncological outcome after BCS for breast cancer.

METHODS

We have searched the medical literature using the Embase and PubMed search engines from conception until May 2019 to identify all relevant studies of patients who underwent AFG after BCS. Meta-analysis and meta-regression methodologies were used to calculate the overall relative risk (RR) of loco-regional recurrence (LRR) rates for case-control and case series studies (with historical controls) respectively.

RESULTS

We have identified 26 eligible studies with a total of 1640 patients who had undergone fat transfer after lumpectomy for breast cancer. The meta-analysis of 11 studies revealed an overall RR for LRR of 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI):0.14-1.66]. The meta-regression of case series revealed an overall incidence of LRR of 1.85% compared with 2.53% for historical controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study lends further support to the notion that fat transfer after lumpectomy for breast cancer does not seem to increase the risk of LRR. However further prospective research is required in order to confirm this.

Evaluating the feasibility of a novel Marking Breast Oncoplastic Surgery Simulator (MBOSS) as a training tool for marking: a randomised trial

Background

Currently, volunteers and/or anatomical models are used for teaching oncoplastic surgery marking. However, as the breast is an intimate organ, recruiting volunteers is difficult, and the available droopy breast models have limitations. We evaluated the feasibility of a novel Marking Breast Oncoplastic Surgery Simulator (MBOSS) for the teaching of marking.

Methods

Breast/plastic surgeons/trainees, grouped according to their oncoplastic experience, were randomized to MBOSS or volunteer. All had a pre-test evaluation prior to receiving hands-on training in inverted T mammoplasty marking in their randomized group, followed by an assessment of their marking skills, by an examiner blinded to their group assignment. All participants then underwent post-test and course evaluations, and those who used MBOSS for training, also evaluated MBOSS realism. Learning outcomes between the two groups were compared using the Kirkpatrick educational model.

Results

Forty participants were enrolled. Demographics, baseline oncoplastic experience and pre-test results were comparable between the MBOSS and volunteer groups. For Kirkpatrick level 1 satisfaction outcomes, the two groups did not differ significantly. For level 2 knowledge assessment, MBOSS post-test scores were significantly higher (P=0.0471). For level 3 skill application and level 4 organizational impact evaluated 6 months post course, there were no significant differences between the groups. Although MBOSS may not mimic the breast completely, 95% of MBOSS-trained participants rated MBOSS as a good training tool and 85% would use MBOSS instead of a volunteer.

Conclusions

MBOSS learning outcomes are comparable to outcomes using volunteers, making MBOSS an alternative for teaching oncoplastic surgery marking.

Immediate Contralateral Mastopexy/Breast Reduction for Symmetry Can Be Performed Safely in Oncoplastic Breast-Conserving Surgery

BACKGROUND

Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery expands the indications for breast conservation. When performed using modified mastopexy/breast reduction techniques, the optimal timing of the contralateral symmetrizing mastopexy/breast reduction remains unclear. This study examined the effect of the timing of symmetrizing mastopexy/breast reduction on oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted of all patients who underwent oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery using mastopexy/breast reduction techniques at a single center from 2010 to 2016. Patients who received synchronous (immediate) contralateral breast symmetrizing mastopexy were compared with those who underwent a delayed symmetrizing mastopexy procedure. Demographic, treatment, and outcome data were collected. Descriptive statistics were used and multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the various relationships.

RESULTS

There were 429 patients (713 breasts) included in the study; of these, 284 patients (568 breasts) underwent oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery involving mastopexy/breast reduction techniques and immediate symmetrizing mastopexy, and 145 patients underwent delayed contralateral symmetrizing mastopexy. The overall complication rate was similar between the immediate and delayed groups (25.4 percent versus 26.9 percent, respectively; p = 0.82), as was the major complication rate (10.6 percent versus 6.2 percent; p = 0.16). Complications resulted in a delay in adjuvant therapy in 18 patients (4.2 percent); in two patients (0.7 percent), this delay resulted from a complication in the contralateral symmetrizing mastopexy breast. Immediate contralateral symmetrizing mastopexy was not associated with increased risk of complications per breast (p = 0.82) or delay to adjuvant therapy (p = 0.6).

CONCLUSION

Contralateral mastopexy/breast reduction for symmetry can be performed at the time of oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery in carefully selected patients without significantly increasing the risk of complications or delay to adjuvant radiation therapy.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, III.

Oncoplastic Repair in Breast Conservation: Comprehensive Evaluation of Techniques and Oncologic Outcomes of 937 Patients

BACKGROUND

Breast-conserving surgery, especially with oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS), is becoming the standard of care in the surgical management of breast cancer. We investigated the applied technique of OBS and oncologic outcomes in a large series of patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was conducted between January 2008 and June 2018 in two centers in Iran. Patients underwent OBS. Early and late postoperative complications, oncologic outcomes, and follow-up data were documented.

RESULTS

Nine hundred thirty-seven patients with a mean ± standard deviation age of 48.1 ± 11.3 underwent OBS. Most of the patients were diagnosed with early-stage disease, of which the most common pathology was invasive ductal carcinoma (83.3%). Lateral oncoplasty was the most commonly used OBS technique (324 cases, 34.6%). The most common complication was seroma formation. Reduction-type OBS technique had the highest rate of complications (13.1%). Thirty-four patients (5.4%) experienced local recurrence, with a median recurrence time of 26.4 months. Nine patients (1.3%) died from cancer recurrence.

CONCLUSION

OBS is a safe procedure with minor complications and good oncologic outcomes. These techniques can be applied to most patients who are candidates for breast-conserving surgery.

Consensus statement on tumour bed localization for radiation after oncoplastic breast surgery

Background

Oncoplastic surgery (ops) is becoming the new standard of care for breast-conserving surgery, leading to some challenges with adjuvant radiation, particularly when accurate tumour bed (tbd) delineation is needed for focused radiation (that is, accelerated partial breast irradiation or boost radiation). Currently, no guidelines have been published concerning tbd localization for adjuvant targeted radiation after ops.

Methods

A modified Delphi method was used to establish consensus by a panel of 20 experts in surgical and radiation oncology at the Canadian Locally Advanced Breast Cancer National Consensus Group and in a subsequent online member survey.

Results

These are the main recommendations:■ Surgical clips are necessary and should, at a minimum, be placed along the 4 side walls of the cavity, plus 1-4 clips at the posterior margin if necessary.■ Operative reports should include pertinent information to help guide the radiation oncologists.■ Breast surgeons and radiation oncologists should have a basic understanding of ops techniques and work on "speaking a common language."■ Careful consideration is needed when determining the value of targeted radiation, such as boost, in higher-level ops procedures with extensive tissue rearrangement.

Conclusions

The panel developed a total of 6 recommendations on tbd delineation for more focused radiation therapy after ops, with more than 80% agreement on each statement. All are summarized, together with the corresponding evidence or expert opinion.

Time to Radiation After Oncoplastic Reduction

BACKGROUND

Partial breast reconstruction with reduction mammaplasty is an accepted option for women with breast cancer who wish to receive breast conserving therapy. With additional surgery and potential postoperative complications, the impact this approach has on the timely initiation of adjuvant radiation therapy has been raised as a concern. The purpose of this study was to determine if any postoperative complications after oncoplastic reduction (OCR) are associated with a delay in time to radiation.

METHODS

All patients undergoing OCR with postoperative adjuvant radiation at a single institution between 1997 and 2015 were included in the analysis. Women who received adjuvant chemotherapy or experienced delays in radiation therapy due to nonsurgical reasons were excluded from our analysis. Comparisons were made between the time to radiation for patients with surgical complications and those without.

RESULTS

One hundred eighteen patients were included. Twenty-six (22.0%) experienced a surgical complication. Complications included cellulitis, delayed healing, seroma, wound breakdown, and wound dehiscence. Postoperative complications resulted in a significantly different median time interval for initiation of radiation (74 days vs 54 days, P < 0.001) compared to those without a complication. Among the entire cohort, 5% of patients required a second operative procedure due to complications. (n = 6/118 patients) including hematoma, infection, seroma, open wounds, wound dehiscence, and nipple necrosis. There was no difference in median time to radiation therapy in those with complications who returned to the operating room (73 days) compared to those who did not (74 days, P = 0.692).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative complications following OCR procedures were associated with an increased time to initiation of adjuvant radiation therapy regardless of whether or not the complication required reoperation. This needs to be taken into consideration when planning these combined procedures with every attempt made to minimize complications through patient selection and surgical technique.

Is oncoplastic breast conserving surgery oncologically safe? A meta-analysis of 18,103 patients

BACKGROUND

Oncoplastic Breast Conserving Surgery (OBCS) allows adequate resection margins of tumours unsuitable for standard breast conserving surgery (SBCS) whilst allowing for better cosmesis and reduced morbidity when compared to mastectomy. However, there is limited evidence on its oncological safety.

METHODS

This study aims to compare oncological safety of OBCS with SBCS and mastectomy by examining the relative risk of cancer recurrence and re-operation rates through meta-analysis.

RESULTS

18 studies met the search criteria including 18,103 patients. The primary outcome measure (recurrence) was not significantly different between OBCS and SBCS or mastectomy (RR 0.861; 95% CI 0.640-1.160; p = 0.296). The secondary outcome measure (re-operation) initially achieved significance in favour of OBCS (RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.46-0.89; p = 0.01). However, after adjustment for publication bias this was attenuated to insignificance between the two study groups (RR 0.86; 95% CI 0.56-1.31; p = 0.44).

CONCLUSIONS

For both cancer recurrence and re-operation rate, there was no significant difference between OBCS and traditional techniques. OBCS is of comparable oncological safety to more established surgical procedures and a useful option in suitable patients.

Oncoplastic breast surgery versus conventional breast-conserving surgery: a comparative retrospective study

BACKGROUND

In addition to conventional breast-conserving surgery (BCS), oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS) is an operation technique that strives simultaneously to increase oncological safety and patient's satisfaction. It is the combination of the best-proven techniques in plastic surgery with surgery for breast cancer. In a growing number of indications, OBS overcomes the limit of conventional BCS by allowing larger resection volumes while avoiding deformities. The aim of our retrospective study (2012-2014) was to compare oncological outcomes of OBS versus BCS.

METHODS

We compared two groups of patients with primary non-metastatic breast tumours: group A (n = 291), where BCS was performed, versus group B (n = 52), where OBS was performed. Surgical interventions were performed in German and Swiss teaching hospital settings. The surgeon for group B had subspecialist training in OBS. We assessed outcome in term of re-excision rates, resection margin and complications.

RESULTS

Groups were homogenous (no significant differences in terms of age, tumour size, tumour type or grade). The resection margin was larger in group B (7 mm) than in group A (3 mm). Re-excision rate of group B (8%) was significantly lower than in group A (31%). Complication rates were comparably low in groups A and B.

CONCLUSION

Despite the limits of retrospective design, our study confirms that OBS is safe and reduces the re-excision rates and the need for further surgery. OBS has the potential to improve oncological care and should be more widely adopted.

Long-term Results After Oncoplastic Surgery for Breast Cancer: A 10-year Follow-up

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term oncologic outcome after oncoplastic surgery (OPS).

BACKGROUND

OPS combines wide tumor excision with reduction mammoplasty techniques thus extending breast conserving surgery to large tumors that might else be proposed a mastectomy. Little data are available about the oncologic results for breast conserving surgery of these larger tumors.

METHODS

From January 2004 until March 2016, a total of 350 oncoplastic breast reductions were prospectively entered into a database. Patients were included if their breast reshaping included a reduction mammoplasty with skin excision (Level 2 oncoplastic techniques).

RESULTS

Histologic subtypes were: invasive ductal carcinoma in 219 cases (62.6%), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in 88 cases (25.1%), and invasive lobular carcinoma in 43 (12.3%) cases. Seventy-three of the invasive cancers (27.9%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The mean resection weight was 177 grams. The mean pathological tumor size was 26 mm (range 0-180 mm) and varied from 23 mm (4-180 mm) for invasive cancers to 32 mm (0-100 mm) for DCIS. Specimen margins were involved in 12.6% of the cases; 10.5% of invasive ductal, 14.7% of DCIS, and 20.9% of invasive lobular. The overall breast conservation rate was 92% and varied from 87.4% for DCIS to 93.5% for the invasive cancers. Thirty-one patients (8.9%) developed one or more postoperative complications, inducing a delay in postoperative treatments in 4.6% of patients. The median follow up was 55 months. The cumulative 5-year incidences for local, regional, and distant recurrences were 2.2%, 1.1%, and 12.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Oncoplastic breast reductions allow wide resections with free margins and can be used for large cancers as an alternative to mastectomy.

A Novel Level I Oncoplastic Surgery Technique for Tumors Located in UIQ of the Breast Far from the Nipple: The "Cross" Technique

Breast surgery was revolutionized with the use of oncoplastic reshaping techniques minimizing breast deformities and esthetic complications. However, the application of the current oncoplastic techniques becomes challenging in some situations such as small-size breasts and when the tumors are located in special locations of the breast, for example, upper inner quadrant. In this article, an optimized oncoplastic technique named the "Cross" technique is introduced to overcome the abovementioned problems in the surgery of breast tumors located in the upper inner quadrant far from the center of the breast. Nineteen oncoplastic surgeries were performed by the same breast surgeon. The mean diameter and weight of the excised specimens were 20 mm and 74 g. The mean age of the patients was 51 years. Clear surgical margins were obtained in all patients. There was no marked deformity in the breast after surgery. The optimized technique produced promising results in our hands when applied to a selected group of patients. Moreover, the technique was found to reduce the need for revision surgery in ptotic breasts, as the alteration in the shape of the breast undergoing surgery is not significant enough to introduce asymmetry to the breasts.