Management of Nipple Necrosis and Wound Complications in Patients Undergoing Unilateral Skin-Sparing Mastectomy and Implant-Based Reconstruction for Breast Cancer: A Retrospective, Single-Center Study

TL;DR

This study examines the causes and management of wound complications after a specific breast cancer surgery, finding that larger excision volumes increase the risk of complications.

Contribution

The study identifies excision volume as a significant predictor of wound complications after unilateral skin-sparing mastectomy and implant-based reconstruction.

Findings

Wound complications occurred in 16.7% of patients after unilateral skin-sparing mastectomy and implant-based reconstruction.

Excision volume was the only variable significantly associated with complication development.

Most complications were managed with advanced wound care, reducing the need for re-operation.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the frequency of early-stage nipple necrosis and wound complications in patients undergoing unilateral skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) and direct implant-based reconstruction and describe the conservative/advanced wound care approaches used for these complications. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was made of the medical records of 84 patients who underwent same-session unilateral SSM and implant-based reconstruction in the Surgical Oncology Clinic between November 2019 and February 2024. Statistical analyses were performed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, Mann–Whitney U-test, and Chi-square/Fisher tests. Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.51 ± 6.5 years, 35.7% of the patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and smoking prevalence was 7.1%. Wound complications developed in 16.7% of the patients, distributed as follows: wound dehiscence 6%, NAC necrosis 8.4%, infection 1.2%, and hematoma 1.2%. Interventions due to complications were performed at rates of 2.4% for areola excision, 2.4% for debridement, and 2.4% for implant excision. The only variable significantly associated with complication development was excision volume, which was higher in the complication group (p = 0.033). Logistic regression analysis showed that a one-unit increase in excision volume was associated with a statistically significant increase in the likelihood of complication development (O.R = 1.002; 95% CI: 1.000–1.004; p = 0.019). No significant association was found between age, height/weight, neoadjuvant therapy, smoking, breast side, pathology subtype, axillary approach, and the development of complications (p > 0.05). Advanced wound management was provided in 10 of the 14 cases (71.4%) that developed complications. Conclusions: Excision volume was found to be the only variable associated with wound complication development after implant-based reconstruction following unilateral SSM. Most complications were managed successfully with advanced wound care, minimizing the need for re-operation. For patients undergoing high-volume excision, risk-based early multidisciplinary, close follow-up is recommended.

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