“Immediate pre-pectoral implant-based breast reconstruction after J-pattern skin reducing mastectomy.”

Abstract

Summary: Skin reducing-mastectomy, described several years ago, for single stage reconstruction is considered an oncologically safe procedure and is used in those woman with large and ptotic breasts. This study describes a new technique, the J-pattern skin-reducing breast reconstruction with prepectoral implant and acellular dermal matrix (Braxon fast), which is indicated to patients with large and ptotic breasts who would benefit from a breast reduction and need a mastectomy for curative or prophylactic purpose. We present our case series on 35 breasts in 19 women submitted to the above mentioned procedure from January 2021 to December 2022 at the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of the University Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia of Udine, Italy, with a median follow up of 15 months. The advantages of the J scar and consist in a reduced risk of skin necrosis, a reduced bottoming out rate, a simplification of the surgical design and a lower impact of scars not involving the medial quadrants of the breast. Patients were administered the Breast Q 2.0 post-operative questionnaire at 3 months postoperatively, which showed a high average level of satisfaction with the reconstruction. We therefore believe that this surgical technique is a valid option in patients who have a voluminous breast and an adequate pinch test and wish to undergo a curative/prophylactic mastectomy with immediate heterologous reconstruction.