The "type V" skin-sparing mastectomy for upper quadrant skin resections

Skin-sparing mastectomies (SSMs) are classified according to the type of incision and breast size. In large breasts, if cancer is superficially located in the upper quadrants, SSM type IV is not indicated, because tumor resection interferes with skin flap pattern. For these patients, a modified Wise-pattern SSM has been developed to achieve immediate breast reconstruction. Twenty-four patients, 14 with tumor in the superior-lateral, 7 in the superior-medial, and 3 in the inferior-lateral quadrant, were operated on with modified SSM incisions. To replace the skin area removed with mastectomy from the upper quadrants, a similar size area from the lower pole was used. No local or distant recurrences occurred, with a mean follow-up of 27 months. Natural breast shape was achieved in all cases. Our procedure allows for a skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM type V) with immediate reconstruction, achieving a natural breast shape also in this group of patients previously excluded.