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Technical considerations in nonreconstructive mastectomy patients.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Djohan, M; Knackstedt, R; Leavitt, T; Djohan, R; Grobmyer, S
Published in: Breast J
April 2020

BACKGROUND: Not all women undergo post-mastectomy breast reconstruction due to medical comorbidities or personal preference. An aesthetically pleasing closure and contour of the chest wall is still desired, though may be technically difficult to achieve in some patients. By combining techniques and lessons learned from breast reductions and female-to-male mastectomies (FTTM), we present a technical approach to aesthetic primary closure post-mastectomy that can be utilized in patients regardless of preoperative breast size. METHODS: After mastectomy, excess cranial/caudal tissue is determined and the lower flap is de-epithelialized to allow for bulk in the reconstructed breast. Excess tissue in the horizontal plane is assessed, and axillary, nonbreast tissue is medialized. Excess skin in the horizontal plane is removed with a small lateral incision similar to a wise-pattern closure. RESULTS: We have performed this technique with good aesthetic results and satisfied patients postoperatively. CONCLUSION: When performing post-mastectomy closure without reconstruction, attention to tissue excess, medialization of axillary tissue and providing bulk with lateral and caudal tissue allows for an easy, reproducible, and aesthetic closure.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Breast J

DOI

EISSN

1524-4741

Publication Date

April 2020

Volume

26

Issue

4

Start / End Page

702 / 704

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Surgical Flaps
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Mastectomy
  • Mammaplasty
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Breast
  • 3211 Oncology and carcinogenesis
 

Citation

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Djohan, M., Knackstedt, R., Leavitt, T., Djohan, R., & Grobmyer, S. (2020). Technical considerations in nonreconstructive mastectomy patients. Breast J, 26(4), 702–704. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbj.13641
Djohan, Michelle, Rebecca Knackstedt, Tripp Leavitt, Risal Djohan, and Stephen Grobmyer. “Technical considerations in nonreconstructive mastectomy patients.Breast J 26, no. 4 (April 2020): 702–4. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbj.13641.
Djohan M, Knackstedt R, Leavitt T, Djohan R, Grobmyer S. Technical considerations in nonreconstructive mastectomy patients. Breast J. 2020 Apr;26(4):702–4.
Djohan, Michelle, et al. “Technical considerations in nonreconstructive mastectomy patients.Breast J, vol. 26, no. 4, Apr. 2020, pp. 702–04. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/tbj.13641.
Djohan M, Knackstedt R, Leavitt T, Djohan R, Grobmyer S. Technical considerations in nonreconstructive mastectomy patients. Breast J. 2020 Apr;26(4):702–704.
Journal cover image

Published In

Breast J

DOI

EISSN

1524-4741

Publication Date

April 2020

Volume

26

Issue

4

Start / End Page

702 / 704

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Surgical Flaps
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Mastectomy
  • Mammaplasty
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Breast
  • 3211 Oncology and carcinogenesis