OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of immediate breast and nipple-areola reconstruction after skin-sparing mastectomy.

METHODS24 patients who received skin-sparing mastectomy underwent immediate breast reconstruction with or without breast implants. The nipple-areola complex is also reconstructed with the skin paddle of the latissimus dorsi flap in one stage.

RESULTSAll the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps survived completely. Partial necrosis happened in two reconstructed nipples which healed after dress changing. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 12 months. 3 patients presented with capsular contracture (Baker I), with no necessary of surgical revision. The retraction rate of reconstructed nipples projection is 35.4% at 6 months postoperatively and 38.6% at 12 months postoperatively. 91.7% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the breast shape, while 83.3% were satisfied or very satisfied with the breast volume. All the patients considered the reconstructed nipple very good, while 91.6% were satisfied with the nipple projection. 91.7% considered immediate nipple reconstruction to be very important, and 8.3% considered it to be important. 66.7% considered the new breast could replace the breast they had lost, and 8.3% considered that it could not.

CONCLUSIONFor skin-sparing mastectomy, immediate breast and nipple reconstruction can achieve good aesthetic results.