Batwing mammoplasty: a safe oncoplastic technique for breast conservation in breast cancer patients with gigantomastia

Abstract

Background Surgical management of breast cancer with gigantomastia can be challenging when planning breast conservation, as major breast reduction is required. Complex oncoplastic procedures can carry an additional surgical risk in this situation. We suggest batwing mammoplasty as a simple and safe oncoplastic procedure for those patients. Materials and methods Fourteen patients with gigantomastia diagnosed with breast cancer were included in this prospective cohort study. All underwent batwing mammoplasty and contralateral symmetrisation procedure between May 2016 and June 2018. Patient satisfaction assessed by the Breast-Q questionnaire. Results All patients had a body mass index above 30kg/m2 with a mean of 36.7kg/m2 (range 31.6–44.9kg/m2). The mean distance from midclavicular point to nipple was 42cm (range 38–50cm). The mean operative time was 83 minutes for procedures done by a single surgeon. Mean specimen weight was 1.2kg (ranging from 1.035–1.63kg). Postoperative complications occurred in 14.2% of patients. Nipple–areola complex viability was not compromised nor sensation impaired. The mean Breast-Q score for patient satisfaction with breasts was 68.6 (range 61–74). The mean score for physiological wellbeing was 77.3 (range 64–84) and the mean score for physical wellbeing was 35 (range 31–40). Conclusion Batwing mammoplasty is a safe and simple oncoplastic procedure in patients who have breast cancer with gigantomastia. It has short operative time and low complications rate. In our cohort of patients, there was no delay in the delivery of adjuvant treatment. The cosmetic outcome was favourable with a high patient satisfaction.