Fairbanks Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Utah's Center for Advanced Techniques in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
Call for a consultation 801-268-8838
Nipple SparingMastectomy/
Preventive Mastectomy
About this procedure
The nipple sparing mastectomy, followed by breast reconstruction surgery, offers the best appearing breast after the removal of breast glandular tissue due to cancer or other disease. It can also be used for the prevention of breast cancer in high risk patients. After the mastectomy has been performed, a breast reconstruction procedure is performed, utilizing a sub-muscular breast implant, to offer the most natural looking result of all the breast reconstructive procedures.
Radiation makes breast reconstruction more difficult. While a lumpectomy combined with radiation may be an appropriate solution for a limited breast cancer, it frequently does not leave the patient with an attractive appearance. With a lumpectomy, there is usually a defect in the shape of the breast, but most of the breast glandular tissue remains. With a nipple sparing mastectomy, 90% of the glandular tissue -- tissue at risk for cancer -- is removed. The remaining 10% is directly beneath the nipple, and can be easily checked should a tumor develop there in the future. The small disc of tissue beneath the nipple allows for blood supply to the nipple, which is necessary at the time of surgery.
Although not defined as “cosmetic surgery,” the results are nevertheless highly acceptable when performed correctly. For the best results, two stages are required. After removal of the breast glandular tissue, the skin and subcutaneous tissue must adhere to the muscular chest wall. Three to four months later, an implant is placed beneath the chest wall muscle. The muscle provides the necessary soft tissue coverage over the implant. Good results can be anticipated thereafter. The post-operative appearance is generally superior to other forms of breast reconstruction.
For patients with the BRCA 1 or 2 gene a nipple sparing mastectomy -- or preventive mastectomy -- is especially important, since it can help prevent the otherwise extremely high risk of breast cancer, and the patient can still have attractive breasts.
*All post-operative pictures are of real patients of Fairbanks Plastic Surgery. Identifiable images are used with patient permission.
Stage 1: Nipple Sparing Mastectomy
Before 1
Before 2
Before 3
After 1
After 2
After 3
Stage 2: Reconstruction
After 2
Before 1
After 1
After 3
Stage 1: Nipple Sparing Mastectomy
After 1
After 1
After 2
After 2
Before 2
Before 1
Before 3
After 1
After 2
After 3
Stage 1: Nipple Sparing Mastectomy
In these pictures we see the cancerous, or otherwise diseased breast in its pre-operative state in the top pictures, and in its post-operative state in the bottom row. The breast glandular tissue has been removed, but the nipple remains.
Before 2
In these pictures, you see the post-operative mastectomy in the first row as the result of a nipple sparing mastectomy. The appearance following breast reconstruction can be seen in the second row.
In these pictures, you see the post-operative mastectomy in the first row as the result of a nipple sparing mastectomy. The appearance following breast reconstruction can be seen in the second row.
Stage 2: Reconstruction
In these pictures, you see the the result of a nipple sparing mastectomy in the first row, and the results of the breast reconstruction in the second.
In these pictures we see the cancerous right breast in its pre-operative state in the top pictures, and in its post-operative state in the bottom row following a nipple sparing mastectomy.
Stage 2: Reconstruction
After 1
After 2
After 3
In these pictures, you see the post-operative views in the first row as the result of a nipple sparing mastectomy. Breast reconstruction has been performed on the right side in the second row.