ArticleInternational journal of surgery (London, England)2025
Breast neurotization along with breast reconstruction after nipple sparing mastectomy enhances quality of life and reduces denervation symptoms in patient-reported outcome: a prospective cohort study.
Article in International journal of surgery (London, England), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07308275 (Longitudinal Evaluation of Direct Neurotization Technique in Breast Reconstruction With Fully Autologous Components), which is not on this map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Longitudinal Evaluation of Direct Neurotization Technique in Breast Reconstruction With Fully Autologous Components: An Assessment of BREAST-Q Sensation Module, Cutaneous Pressure Threshold, Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) Expression, Nerve Fiber Cross-sectional Area, Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber Density (IENFD), and Breast Morphometry
Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Nipple Areolar Complex (NAC) Neurotization After Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy (NSM) in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of the Literature.The breast journal · 2025Pooled it
- Review
- Nipple-areolar complex neurotization in implant-based breast reconstruction: a narrative review.Gland surgery · 2026Review
- Cosmetic Principles and Contemporary Techniques: Achieving Aesthetic Outcomes in DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Review
- Breast Reconstruction After Cancer: Historical Development, Modern Techniques, and Psychological Impact.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Sensory Outcomes and Neurotization Techniques Following Mastectomies: A Comprehensive Systematic Review.Cancers · 2026Review
- Article
- Hot Topics in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivePersistent postoperative sensory loss significantly limits breast reconstruction following mastectomy. In addition, the absence of sensation profoundly impacts patients' physical well-being and overall quality of life. New surgical techniques involving nerve autograft intercostal nerve elongation have been introduced to neurotize reconstructed breasts. However, patient quality of life after neurotization has not been well evaluated. This study aimed to investigate improvements in patient quality of life in association with breast neurotization.
methodsA prospective cohort study of 132 patients treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between January 2018 and December 2022 was conducted. Two groups of patients who underwent nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) and breast reconstruction were compared: those with ( n = 67) and without ( n = 65) breast neurotization. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed via the BREAST-Q reconstruction module questionnaire and an additional questionnaire measuring sensation, nipple satisfaction, and breast symptoms. Objective measurements were conducted via the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments test.
resultsWith respect to patient-reported outcomes, the innervated group had significantly higher scores for nipple sensation and on the BREAST-Q domains of psychosocial well-being (71.6 ± 18.1 vs. 62.8 ± 18.6, P = 0.006), sexual well-being (56.9 ± 22.1 vs. 47.3 ± 20.7, P = 0.015), satisfaction with the medical team, as well as less frequent post-operative breast symptoms. In the subgroup analysis, the innervated group demonstrated higher scores in both autologous flap and implant-based reconstruction. Linear regression revealed a statistically significant relationship between objectively measured monofilament value and subjectively examined patient-reported outcomes: nipple sensation, breast sensation, and BREAST-Q score for the psychosocial well-being domain (coefficient: -4.922, P = 0.033).
conclusionBreast reconstruction with autologous nerve graft neurotization yields improved sensory outcomes and has a statistically significant positive impact on the quality of life of breast reconstruction patients.
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