Nipple-areola reconstruction following chest-wall irradiation for breast cancer: Is it safe? Journal Article


Authors: Draper, L. B.; Bui, D. T.; Chiu, E. S.; Mehrara, B. J.; Pusic, A. L.; Cordeiro, P. G.; Disa, J. J.; Hazen, A.; Lee, W. P. A.
Article Title: Nipple-areola reconstruction following chest-wall irradiation for breast cancer: Is it safe?
Abstract: Radiation therapy (RT) is considered by some to be a contraindication to nipple-areola reconstruction (NAR) particularly in patients with breast implant reconstruction. In this retrospective chart review, all patients who underwent breast reconstruction with tissue expanders and implants from 1997-2003 were reviewed. A subset of patients with a history of radiation therapy (pre- or postoperative) was identified. Postoperative complications, surgical technique, and the time course of reconstructive procedures were analyzed. Thirteen percent of patients with a history of RT had NAR compared with 36% of similarly reconstructed patients without a history of RT. Reconstruction was accomplished using a variety of local flaps, with an overall complication rate of 25%. Nipple-areola reconstruction after chest-wall irradiation in patients reconstructed with breast implants should be performed in carefully selected patients. Acceptable surgical candidates demonstrate resolution of acute radiation changes, no evidence of late radiation changes, and appropriate thickness of the mastectomy skin flaps. Copyright © 2005 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Keywords: adult; controlled study; treatment outcome; surgical technique; retrospective studies; major clinical study; review; anamnesis; surgical flaps; cancer radiotherapy; breast cancer; radiation; breast neoplasms; breast reconstruction; mammaplasty; postoperative complication; breast endoprosthesis; breast implants; nipples; treatment contraindication; breast areola; thorax wall; thoracic wall; skin flap; nipple-areola
Journal Title: Annals of Plastic Surgery
Volume: 55
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0148-7043
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2005-07-01
Start Page: 12
End Page: 15
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/01.sap.0000168037.87942.b5
PUBMED: 15985784
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 4" - "Export Date: 24 October 2012" - "CODEN: APCSD" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Joseph Disa
    265 Disa
  2. Andrea Pusic
    300 Pusic
  3. Babak Mehrara
    451 Mehrara
  4. Peter G Cordeiro
    288 Cordeiro