Expanding the Use of Nipple-Sparing Mastectomies in Obese Patients Undergoing Staged Implant-Based Reconstruction

Background: Advantages of various mastectomy techniques include skin reduction and favorable aesthetics in Wise-pattern closures, and less visible scars in nipple-sparing mastectomies (NSM). This study compares postoperative complication profiles between Wise-pattern and nipple-sparing mastectomies in the obese population. Methods: A retrospective chart review of obese patients (BMI ≥ 30) who underwent staged breast reconstruction following Wise-pattern and nipple-sparing mastectomies at our institution between February 2016 and January 2020 was conducted. Complications between cohorts were analyzed using the independent samples t-test (2-sided) and the χ2 test. Results: A total of 232 breasts (163 Wise-pattern, 69 NSM) were re-constructed in 123 obese female patients (85 Wise-pattern, 38 NSM). Complication rates in both the Wise-pattern and NSM patient cohorts were similar following stage 1 (Wise-pattern: 30.7%, NSM: 39.1%, p = 0.212) and stage 2 (Wise-pattern: 16.6%, NSM: 15.9%, p = 0.907) of reconstruction. No statistically significant differences in rates of infection, dehiscence, seroma, hematoma or malposition of tissue expander (TE)/implant following stage 1 or stage 2 were found between cohorts. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in postoperative complication rates between the Wise-pattern and NSM cohorts of obese patients. NSM can be a viable surgical option in carefully selected obese patients and offer the advantage of concealed scarring.