Standardization of oncoplastic breast conserving surgery

Abstract

The emphasis on esthetic outcomes and quality of life after breast cancer surgery has motivated surgeons to develop oncoplastic breast conserving surgery (OPS). Training programs are still rare in most countries, and there is little standardization, which challenges the scientific evaluation of the techniques. The present article attempts to standardize OPS nomenclature, indications, and reconstruction choice selection embedded in a thorough review of the literature. We propose four breast conserving surgery (BCS) categories: Conventional tumorectomy, oncoplastic mastopexy, oncoplastic tumorectomy and oncoplastic reduction mammoplasty. The main volume displacement techniques are glandular re-approximation, use of tailored glandular or dermoglandular flaps and nipple-areola complex pedicles. We developed an indication algorithm based on the size and shape of the breast as well as the size and location of the tumor. A reconstruction algorithm suggests a selection of suitable tailored flaps and pedicles based on tumor location and vascular supply of the breast. The application of these algorithms results in known and novel OPS techniques, which are presented here with long-term results. We designed the algorithms to help tailor every operation to the individual patient in a standardized manner, since OPS is now on the rise, more than two decades after the publication of the first techniques. A rapidly increasing body of observational evidence suggests comparable rates of local recurrence between OPS and conventional BCS. Importantly, the rates of clear resection margins are in favor of OPS despite extended indications to larger tumors. Finally, OPS optimizes patient satisfaction by improving esthetic outcomes after BCS.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Breast conserving surgery; Oncoplastic surgery.