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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Jul 1;152(1):12e-24e.
doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000010155. Epub 2023 Jun 29.

Quality of Life and Complications after Nipple- versus Skin-Sparing Mastectomy followed by Immediate Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Marloes E Clarijs  1 , Noelle J M C Vrancken Peeters  2 , Sophie A F van Dongen  2 , Linetta B Koppert  1 , Andrea L Pusic  3 , Marc A M Mureau  4 , Bianca F M Rijken  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Quality of Life and Complications after Nipple- versus Skin-Sparing Mastectomy followed by Immediate Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Marloes E Clarijs et al. Plast Reconstr Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) has emerged as an alternative procedure for skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM), followed by immediate breast reconstruction. Because oncologic safety appears similar, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and complication risks may guide decision-making in individual patients. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to compare PROs and complication rates after NSM and SSM.

Methods: A systematic literature review evaluating NSM versus SSM was performed using the Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases. Methodologic quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Form for Cohort Studies. Primary outcomes were PROs and complications. Studies that evaluated BREAST-Q scores were used to perform meta-analyses on five BREAST-Q domains.

Results: Thirteen comparative studies including 3895 patients were selected from 1202 articles found. Meta-analyses of the BREAST-Q domains showed a significant mean difference of 7.64 in the Sexual Well-being domain ( P = 0.01) and 4.71 in the Psychosocial Well-being domain ( P = 0.03), both in favor of NSM. Using the specifically designed questionnaires, no differences in overall satisfaction scores were found. There were no differences in overall complication rates between the two groups.

Conclusions: Patient satisfaction scores were high after both NSM and SSM; however, NSM led to a higher sexual and psychosocial well-being. No differences in complication rates were found. In combination with other factors, such as oncologic treatments, complication risk profile, and fear of cancer recurrence, the decision for NSM or SSM has to be made on an individual basis and only if NSM is considered to be oncologically safe.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Pusic is a co-developer of the BREAST-Q (owned by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) and may receive royalties when it is used in for-profit, industry-sponsored clinical trials. The remaining authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article. This research received no external funding.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Flowchart study selection procedure.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Forest plot showing the mean differences for the Satisfaction with Breasts, Psychosocial Well-being, Physical Well-being, Sexual Well-being, and Satisfaction with Outcome domains of the BREAST-Q.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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