OBJECTIVETo compare the therapy efficiency of immediate implanting breast reconstruction after skin sparing mastectomy and modified radical mastectomy in breast cancer.

METHODSThis study retrospectively analyzed 530 female patients with early breast cancer operated in the department of General Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, from Jan. 2004 to Dec. 2008, including 91 patients operated with skin sparing mastectomy and immediate implanting breast reconstruction and 439 patients with modified radical mastectomy. The follow up ended in Mar. 2010. By comparing complications, local recurrence, distant metastases and mortality rates between the two groups, the research was done to evaluate the therapy efficiency.

RESULTSIn the group of immediate implanting reconstruction, 84 patients completed follow up with the median follow-up time of 35 months (14 - 72 months) while the local recurring rate was 2.4%, distant metastasis rate was 8.3% and mortality rate was 6.0%. In the group of modified radical mastectomy, 398 patients completed follow up with the median follow-up time of 36 months (12 - 74 months) while the local recurring rate was 3.3%, distant metastasis rate was 9.5% and mortality rate was 6.5%. Therefore there was no obvious statistic difference between the two groups in local recurring rate, distant metastasis rate and mortality rate (P > 0.05). Evaluation of aesthetic results was done in the 84 patients after immediate implanting reconstruction for 12 months which was 93% as good or excellent by surgeons while 87% by patients. Surgeons and patients were both satisfied with the breast appearance.

CONCLUSIONFor patients with early stage breast cancer, combining standard postoperative therapy, skin sparing mastectomy and immediate implanting reconstruction could achieve the same effect as the traditional modified radical mastectomy, while reconstruction would bring about better appearance and higher quality of life.