NIPPLE SPARING MASTECTOMY AND THE ADVENT OF AN ENABLING SURGICAL ILLUMINATION AND VISUALIZATION SYSTEM Clinical Experience Survey of Thought Leaders in Breast Surgery

BACKGROUND Recent advances in surgical techniques for breast cancer, including nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM), reflect growing interest in optimal aesthetic outcomes and associated psychological recovery without sacrificing oncologic safety and efficacy. A new surgical illumination and visualization technology addresses this need while enabling broader application and adoption of the nipple sparing technique. METHODS A clinical experience survey related to the use of a new illumination and visualization technology in the surgical management of breast cancer was conducted with twelve breast surgeon thought leaders in May 2013. The survey results and published NSM data are reviewed for their impact on breast cancer surgery today. DISCUSSION The NSM approach has been steadily increasing at institutions globally. Based on the published data reviewed and the clinical experience survey data reported here, NSM is a safe and effective surgical option for selected patients who have or are at high risk for breast cancer. Surgical efficiency and clinical and aesthetic outcomes of NSM are enhanced with the use of an advanced illumination and visualization technology. CONCLUSIONS Skin and nipple preservation during breast cancer surgery is essential to attain ideal aesthetic results. NSM is technically challenging due to minimal access and limited visualization; however, the advent of an advanced illuminated retractor system makes performing a NSM less challenging, more efficient, and safer while achieving optimal breast aesthetics. INTRODUCTION Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) is an advanced surgical option for the treatment of breast cancer. NSM has become a popular treatment choice due to an increased desire by both surgeons and patients to achieve an improved aesthetic outcome after breast cancer surgery. It offers both patient and surgeon an opportunity for an effective oncologic surgical outcome while preserving the skin and the nipple-areola complex (NAC) for the optimal aesthetic result. As breast surgeons continue to base their interventions on patient safety and oncologic efficacy, this advanced technique has enabled cosmesis to become a significant endpoint in surgical outcomes. A survey of thought leaders in breast surgery was conducted in Chicago, in May 2013. The surgeon participants took an in-depth look at NSM from an oncologic and aesthetic perspective, and