Less-Invasive Procedure Is Proving Safe.

A less-invasive nipple-sparing mastectomy that leaves the surface of the breast intact has become a safe option for more patients, including those whose breast cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or who have risk factors for surgical complications, according to the results of a study at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

In a nipple-sparing mastectomy, surgeons remove breast tissue while leaving the skin, nipple, and areola intact, and then they immediately perform breast reconstruction.

In their study, researchers evaluated nipple-sparing mastectomy outcomes in 769 women who had the procedure between 2009-17 and found that safety has improved over time. In all, the surgery was performed on 1,301 breasts during the study period.

Complications within 30 days after nipple-sparing surgery declined from 14.8% in 2009 to 6.3% in 2017, even though the procedure was offered to more women, including those whose cancer was locally advanced or those who had surgical complication risk factors such as obesity or...

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