Nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap without skin paddle using delayed primary retention suture.

[BACKGROUND] This study investigated the outcomes of nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap using delayed primary retention suture (DPRS) to achieve superior breast esthetics.

[METHODS] Between December 2010 and March 2021, patients who underwent NSM with DIEP flap were inset with or without a skin paddle (using DPRS) as Group A or B, respectively. Demographics, operative findings, complications, BREAST-Q questionnaire, and Manchester scar scale were compared between two groups.

[RESULTS] Twelve patients underwent 12 unilateral reconstructions in Group A, while 12 patients underwent 13 DIEP flaps in Group B. There was no significant difference in demographics, ischemia time, flap-used weight and percentage, complications of hematoma, infection, re-exploration, partial flap loss, and total flap loss (All p > 0.05, respectively). At a mean 9 months of follow-up, the Breast-Q "Satisfaction with surgeon" domain was significant in Group B (p = 0.04). At a mean 12 months of follow-up, the overall Manchester scar scale of 10.3 in Group B was statistically superior to 12.6 in Group A (p = 0.04).

[CONCLUSIONS] The NSM with a DIEP flap using DPRS is a reliable and straightforward technique. It can provide greater cosmesis of the reconstructed breast mound in a single-stage procedure.