METHOD OF ONCOPLASTIC BREAST RESECTION

Abstract

Background. In women with breast cancer the significant postop lateral deviation of the nipple-areola complex may occur if the partial breast resection with lymphadenectomy was performed through one-line straight incision from the middle axilla to the edge of areola.
Objective. To describe radical oncoplastic breast resection with avoiding of nipple-areola deviation and preservation of the symmetry of breasts.
Methods. The study included 16 women, age 32 to 67 years. Breast cancer at the stage I was found in 5 patients, stage IIA – in 4, stage IIB – in 2, and stage IIIA – in 5 patients. We proposed to use curved (broken line) incision with 120° angle instead of linear incision. Oncoplastic breast resection began with incision of skin and soft tissues in axilla, along the pectoral muscle downward to lateral contour of breast, and then direction was changed at an angle of 120° towards areola. The tumor projection was encircled by two semi-oval incisions, and then partial breast resection with axillary lymphadenectomy was done. After morphological confirmation of “clear” surgical margins the wound was sutured along the trajectory of the incision.
Results. All women rated the postop cosmetic result as “good” and “satisfactory”. The selected configuration of tissue incisions provided physiological position of the operated breast.
Conclusions. Method of “broken line” incision of skin and soft tissue at an angle of 120° allows performing the radical breast resection with axillary lymph node dissection and prevents postoperative lateral deviation of nipple-areola, and maintains symmetry of the breasts.

KEY WORDS: breast cancer, oncoplastic resection.