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. 2019 Jun;175(2):369-378.
doi: 10.1007/s10549-019-05137-8. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Breast sensibility after mastectomy and implant-based breast reconstruction

E Bijkerk  1 , S M J van Kuijk  2 , J Beugels  3 , A J M Cornelissen  3 , E M Heuts  4 , R R W J van der Hulst  3 , S M H Tuinder  3
Affiliations

Breast sensibility after mastectomy and implant-based breast reconstruction

E Bijkerk et al. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate the level of sensible impairment after mastectomy or implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR). In addition, factors influencing breast sensibility were evaluated.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in Maastricht University Medical Center between July 2016 and August 2018. Women with unilateral mastectomy with or without IBBR were included. Objective sensory measurements were performed using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Their healthy breast served as control, using a paired t test. Differences between mastectomy with and without IBBR were evaluated using the independent t test. Linear regression was performed to evaluate the association between patient characteristics on breast sensibility. The paired t test was used to evaluate in which part of the breast the sensibility is best preserved.

Results: Fifty-one patients were eligible for inclusion. Sixteen patients underwent IBBR after mastectomy. Twenty-three patients received radiotherapy and 35 patients received chemotherapy. Monofilament values were significantly higher in the operated group compared to the reference group (p < 0.001). Linear regression showed a statistically significant association between IBBR and objectively measured impaired sensation (p = 0.008). After mastectomy, the cutaneous protective sensation is only diminished. After IBBR, it is lost in the majority of the breast. The medial part of the breast was significantly more sensitive than the lateral part in all operated breasts (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: IBBR has a significantly negative impact on the breast sensibility compared to mastectomy alone. This study shows that the protective sensation of the skin in the breast is lost after IBBR. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the level of sensible impairment after mastectomy or IBBR. More research is necessary to confirm these results.

Keywords: Alloplastic breast reconstruction; Breast cancer; Implant-based breast reconstruction; Mastectomy; Sensibility.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Areas measured according to the anatomical landmarks of the breast. Anatomical references of the non-operated, healthy breast on the left side of the patient and the mastectomy on the right side of the patient with a heat map of measurement points. The measured points were numbered: 1 = superomedial, 2 = inferomedial, 3 = inferolateral, 4 = superolateral, 5 = areola superomedial, 6 = areola inferomedial, 7 = areola inferolateral, 8 = areola superolateral, and 9 = nipple
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The median monofilament index values per area per (sub)group
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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