Effectiveness of the Nipples-Saving Mastectomy (NSM): Review on the Results, Oncologic Safety and Surgical Complications

Background: The nipples-saving mastectomy (NSM), most recent technique, allows the whole mammary gland removal preserving the nipple-areola compound (NAC), obtaining oncologic safe results. When indicated, NSM is validated by the great aesthetic results obtained. Objectives: The objective of this review is the evaluation of the effectiveness and oncologic safety of the nipple-saving mastectomy, marking the most frequent complications. Moreover, the possibility to use the NSM procedure as prophylactic mastectomy in patients at high risk has been evaluated. Research Methods: A bibliographic research about clinical studies and previous reviews related to nipplessaving mastectomy has been conducted. No limitation about language was performed. Results: The study included 12 articles, for a total of 2859 patients and 3849 NSM. Patients candidate to NSM, either as a prophylactic or curative treatment of mammary carcinoma, must undergo a careful selection screening. Most frequently occurring surgery-related complications were necrosis and infections; though not altering the cosmetic results, that have been positively evaluated in almost all patients. Conclusion: Preservation of the areola-nipple compound seems to be oncologically safe and does not increase local recurrences, compared to the previous techniques. Moreover, it is associated with better aesthetic results and patients’ higher satisfaction.