BackgroundNipple-sparing mastectomies (NSMs) are increasingly performed to obtain the best aesthetic and psychological outcomes in breast cancer treatment. However, merely preserving the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) does not guarantee a good outcome. Darkly pigmented NACs and a tendency for poor scarring outcomes are particular challenges when treating Asian patients. Herein, we review the reconstructive outcomes following NSM at Singapore General Hospital.MethodsAll breasts reconstructed following NSM over an 11-year period from 2005 to 2015 were reviewed. Information was collected from the patients’ records on mastectomy indications, operative details, and complications. Patient satisfaction, breast sensation, and aesthetic outcomes were evaluated in 15 patients. Sensation was quantified using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test.ResultsA total of 142 NSMs were performed in 133 patients for breast cancer (n=122, 85.9%) or risk reduction (n=20, 14.1%). Of the procedures, 114 (80.2%) were autologous reconstructions, while 27 (19.0%) were reconstructions with implants. Complications occurred in 28 breasts (19.7%), with the most common complication being NAC necrosis, which occurred in 17 breasts (12.0%). Four breasts (2.8%) had total NAC necrosis. The overall mean patient satisfaction score was 3.0 (good). The sensation scores were significantly diminished in the skin envelope, areola, and nipple of breasts that had undergone NSM compared to non-operated breasts (P<0.05). Half of the subset of 15 patients in whom aesthetic outcomes were evaluated had reduced nipple projection.ConclusionsImmediate reconstruction after NSM was performed with a low complication rate in this series, predominantly through autologous reconstruction. Patients should be informed of potential drawbacks, including NAC necrosis, reduced nipple projection, and diminished sensation.
Background
Limited data exist on antibody responses to mixed vaccination strategies that involve inactivated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, particularly in the context of emerging variants.
Methods
We conducted an open-label trial of a third vaccine dose of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine (BNT162b2, Fosun Pharma/BioNTech) in adults aged ≥30 years who had previously received 2 doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. We collected blood samples before administering the third dose and 28 days later and tested for antibodies to the ancestral virus using a binding assay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]), a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT), and a live virus plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). We also tested for antibodies against the Omicron variant using live-virus PRNT.
Results
In 315 participants, a third dose of BNT162b2 substantially increased antibody titers on each assay. Mean ELISA levels increased from an optical density of 0.3 to 2.2 (P < .001), and mean sVNT levels increased from an inhibition of 17% to 96% (P < .001). In a random subset of 20 participants, the geometric mean PRNT50 titers rose substantially, by 45-fold from day 0 to day 28 against the ancestral virus (P < .001) and by 11-fold against the Omicron variant (P < .001). In daily monitoring, post-vaccination reactions subsided within 7 days for more than 99% of participants.
Conclusions
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine with an mRNA vaccine substantially improved antibody levels against the ancestral virus and the Omicron variant with a well-tolerated safety profile in adults who had received 2 doses of inactivated vaccine 6 months earlier.
Clinical Trials Registration
NCT05057182.
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