Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41089735›Full record

SynthesisThe breast journal2025

Nipple Areolar Complex (NAC) Neurotization After Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy (NSM) in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Thomas J Sorenson, Carter J Boyd, Jenn J Park, Kshipra Hemal, Chris Amro, Nicholas Vernice, Alexis Lakatta, Oriana Cohen, Nolan Karp, Mihye Choi

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The breast journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Hot Topics in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Thomas J SorensonHansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU-Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-6658-254X
Carter J BoydHansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU-Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.
Jenn J ParkHansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU-Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.
Kshipra HemalHansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU-Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.
Chris AmroHansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU-Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.
Nicholas VerniceHansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU-Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.
Alexis LakattaHansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU-Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.
Oriana CohenHansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU-Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.
Nolan KarpHansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU-Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.
Mihye ChoiHansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU-Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.ORCID 0009-0007-9519-8468

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR) preserves the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) with superior aesthetic results but results in loss of nipple sensation. Nipple neurotization has emerged as a technique to restore the sensory function, yet outcomes remain variable across studies. This systematic review synthesizes the available evidence on nipple neurotization in IBBR, focusing on sensory recovery, patient satisfaction, and surgical techniques. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Ovid EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched through April 1, 2025, for studies evaluating nipple neurotization in IBBR. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case series reporting surgical technique, sensory, and/or patient satisfaction outcomes. Data extraction included study characteristics, surgical techniques, sensory outcomes, and patient-reported satisfaction. Risk of bias was assessed using standardized tools. Results: Six studies met inclusion criteria, comprising 212 patients and 257 neurotized breasts. Sensory recovery was assessed using monofilament testing and patient-reported outcomes. Studies demonstrated overall improvement of NAC sensory outcomes and high patient satisfaction after neurotization. However, variability in neurotization methods, follow-up duration, and specific measured sensory outcomes limited direct comparisons. Conclusion: Nipple neurotization in IBBR shows promise in enhancing sensory recovery and patient satisfaction after NSM, but heterogeneity in surgical techniques and outcome measures, as well as poor study designs, limits definitive conclusions. Standardized protocols and randomized studies with long-term patient follow-up are needed to establish best practices and optimize neurotization outcomes.

Indexed as

Breast ImplantationMammaplastyNipplesBreast ImplantsBreast NeoplasmsFemaleHumansPatient Satisfactionimplant-based breast reconstructionneurotizationnipple neurotizationnipple-sparing mastectomy

Identifiers

PMID41089735
PMCPMC12517998

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.