A single institution experience with skin sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction

INTRODUCTIONSkin sparing mastectomies (SSMs) represent a surgical approach that preserves the natural skin envelope of the breast and, when combined with immediate reconstruction, offers a good cosmetic outcome. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the risk of local recurrence (LR) in this series with the known rate of recurrence following a conventional mastectomy. METHODSA total of 108 patients with breast cancer who underwent an SSM and immediate breast reconstruction over a 6-year period were reviewed. RESULTSA follow-up of more than eight years showed that three patients (2.78%) had developed LR. CONCLUSIONSThe rate of LR is low with SSMs and is comparable to that seen with conventional mastectomies.