The double S technique to achieve aesthetic flat closure after conventional mastectomy

World J Surg Oncol. 2022 Feb 21;20(1):42. doi: 10.1186/s12957-022-02515-3.

Abstract

Background: Lateral excess tissue after mastectomy is a frequent problem, which should be included into preoperative planning. Women with lateral tissue abundance are frequently impaired cosmetically and functionally. We suggest a novel oncoplastic mastectomy technique to eliminate the above mentioned.

Methods: Surgical technique Two small horizontal lines are drawn, one line above and one line below the Nipple Areola Complex. These lines should represent the possible skin excision and allow tight skin closure. Consecutively, two ending points of the incision are planned, one close to the xyphoid area and the other one in the anterior axillary line. These points are then interconnected in an s-shaped manner to form a double s-shaped skin excision.

Results: The double S-shaped technique is an easy reproducible technique which not only allows good access to the lateral side of the mastectomy, but also and mainly the reduction of lateral fat and skin.

Conclusion: The double S mastectomy allows for simultaneous removal of access in the axillary region, eliminating skin, and fat as needed and preventing the lateral dog ear.

Keywords: Axillary skin flaps; Dog ear; Flat closure; Mastectomy.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Esthetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mammaplasty* / methods
  • Mastectomy / methods
  • Nipples / surgery