Immediate reconstruction of the breast with implants and prolene mesh for early breast cancer

Abstract Introduction: Several techniques are available today for immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer in early stage and the choice depends on patient condition, experience and surgeon skills. It is possible to use a definitive implant or a muscle flap to reconstruct breast, this procedure was performed under general anesthesia and immediately following a total mastectomy. While using a tissue expander requires two surgical procedures. Patients and methods: We study a series of patients with early breast cancer who underwent total mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction with implants in a submuscular pocket created beneath the pectoralis major muscle and prolene mesh. The study has conducted at the Breast Department – Oncology Center of Cho Ray Hospital from 04/2020 to 04/2021. Results: There were 25 patients with early breast cancer (Stage 0: 6 cases, Stage IA: 2 cases, Stage IIA: 17 cases), in which, two cases had neoadjuvant therapy. A total of 17 nipple-sparing mastectomy reconstructions and 8 skin-sparing mastectomy reconstructions were performed during the study period. Mean age were 45,4 ± 9,2 years old (from 30 to 63). Mean operation time were 239 ± 26,4 minutes. No major complications were recorded. There is one case with skin redness and one case with partial nipple ischemia, these cases were stable when discharging from the hospital. In cosmetic aspect, results were excellent achieved 20% and good 80% respectivelly. The patients had been follow-up and treated with multi disciplinary specialty consultant after surgery, no case needs adjuvant radiotherapy. No recurrence or distal metastasis was recorded. Conclusion: Mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction with implant in early breast cancer is feasible with strict condition. However, further studies with a larger sampling size and a follow-up are necessary to draw more validated conclusions. Keywords: breast cancer, immediate breast reconstruction.