Collaboration between breast and reconstructive surgery in optimizing outcomes for women with breast cancer

Abstract

Performing successful breast reconstruction after mastectomy requires communication and collaboration between the breast and reconstruction surgery teams. This allows for oncologic safety while providing esthetic and functional reconstruction. In this article, we discuss the numerous techniques we have adopted successfully into our breast reconstructive practice that were possible due to this collaboration including prophylactic lymphaticovenous bypass (LVB), tumor ultrasound-guided incision (TUGI), esthetic closure in patients not eligible or desiring reconstruction, nerve identification at time of mastectomy to allow for sensate reconstruction, and the prevention of chronic pain and strategic oncoplasty. K E Y W O R D S breast cancer, collaboration, reconstructive surgery How to cite this article: Djohan R, Knackstedt R.Collaboration between breast and reconstructive surgery in optimizing outcomes for women with breast cancer. Breast J.

Careful Where You Cut: Strategies for Successful Nerve-preserving Mastectomy

“…17 Successful breast neurotization during NSM and implant-based reconstruction requires a close collaboration between breast and plastic surgeons. [24][25][26] This collaborative effort hinges on two critical components: nerve-sparing mastectomy with the preservation of lateral and medial superficial intercostal nerve branches (ICN) and the neurotization of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). Precise identification and preservation of sensory nerve branches during mastectomy are paramount, underscoring the necessity of a thorough understanding of the anatomy and trajectory of these nerves.…”