Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42726459›Full record

ReviewUpdates in surgery2026

Robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy in breast cancer: current evidence, technical considerations, and clinical outcomes.

Zhiyao Wang, Weijie Kong, Huiming Wu, Jie Pei, Jing Zhang

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Updates in surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

5 authors.

Zhiyao Wang *Department of Plastic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, ShanxiAcademy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-0368-451X
Weijie Kong *Department of Breast Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, ShanxiAcademy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China.
Huiming WuDepartment of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/CancerHospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Jie PeiDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, ShanxiAcademy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China. peijie@sxbqeh.com.cn.
Jing ZhangDepartment of General Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China. zhangjing7127@sxbqeh.com.cn.

Funding

Shanxi Natural Science Foundation No. 202103021223412
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) has emerged as an important advancement in breast surgery, offering significant improvements in postoperative aesthetic outcomes and patient quality of life while maintaining oncologic safety. However, conventional open and endoscopic approaches to NSM remain associated with technical limitations, including restricted surgical exposure, challenges in confined operative spaces, and the need for remote and concealed incisions. In recent years, robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy (R-NSM) has been increasingly introduced into clinical practice. With its advantages of three-dimensional magnified visualization, enhanced instrument dexterity, and stable operative control, R-NSM has demonstrated potential benefits for precise dissection under complex anatomical conditions. Given the substantial heterogeneity among R-NSM studies in terms of surgical techniques, study designs, and outcome assessments, this review adopts a narrative review approach to provide a structured synthesis of the current literature. We particularly focus on the technical characteristics of R-NSM, including improved visualization, enhanced instrument flexibility, and optimized operative stability, and summarize the available clinical evidence regarding oncologic safety, perioperative outcomes, and aesthetic results. Current evidence suggests that R-NSM provides acceptable short- to mid-term safety profiles and may offer favorable outcomes in selected perioperative and aesthetic parameters. Nevertheless, its application remains limited by prolonged operative time, increased procedural costs, and other resource-related considerations. Moreover, the existing evidence is largely derived from retrospective studies and multicenter observational experiences, with limited long-term follow-up and high-quality prospective validation. Overall, R-NSM represents an important direction in the evolution of minimally invasive and precision-oriented breast surgery. However, its true clinical value regarding long-term oncologic safety and sustained patient benefit remains to be established. Future multicenter, large-scale, and prospective studies with extended follow-up are warranted to further define its clinical role and identify the patient populations most likely to benefit.

Indexed as

Breast neoplasmsCosmesisMastectomyMinimally invasiveNippleRoboticsSubcutaneousSurgical proceduresTreatment outcome

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

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.