Current status of pre- and retropectoral breast reconstructions worldwide: a narrative review.

Background and Objective: Advances in breast cancer research and technology contribute to conservative ablative surgical approach with emphasis on reconstruction. The introduction of biologic membranes in breast surgery facilitates a one-stage implant reconstruction while the importance of the pectoralis major muscle involvement in the procedure becomes debatable. A subsequent increase in prepectoral implant placement procedures seems to close a cycle of innovations in implant-based breast reconstructions. This sparks a debate that calls for a critical review of existing literature considering that new challenges tend to arise along with new perspectives. The authors seek to scope the present status of prepectoral and subpectoral implant reconstruction worldwide, and answer recurring questions, including the novelty of presented innovations in the context of existing literature. Methods: The article is based on a literature search in PubMed with the keywords "prepectoral" or "subpectoral" and "breast reconstruction", in addition to the authors' experience with a large number of patients. Key Content and Findings: Recent studies focus on the comparative safety of prepectoral Conclusions: After reading this paper, the reader should have a firm understanding of the key elements of implant-based breast reconstruction in historical context with emphasis on muscle planes and their pros and cons.