Comparing Safety Profiles of Skin-Sparing and Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy With Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Mastectomy is performed prior to or concurrently with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. However, the complication rates of nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) versus skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) with DIEP are not well-characterized. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent SSM or NSM with DIEP reconstruction between January 2019 and July 2022 at an academic institution. The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative complication rate. Variables were compared using Student's t-tests/Wilcoxon rank-sum and Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests. Results: Of 535 patients, 195 (36%) underwent NSM and 340 (64%) underwent SSM. The 30-day postoperative complication rates did not differ between cohorts (16.4% in NSM vs. 16.8% in SSM, p > 0.9). The NSM cohort had a higher rate of any flap necrosis (9.2% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.01) compared to the SSM cohort, though rates of total DIEP flap loss rate did not differ (4.1% vs. 1.5% respectively). Site-wide total DIEP flap loss was 2.4%. The NSM cohort had smaller preoperative sternal notch-to-nipple distances (25.0 vs. 26.5 cm, p < 0.001) and had lower rates of preoperative radiation therapy (28.2% vs. 42.9%, p < 0.002) compared to the SSM cohort. The cohorts did not differ in demographic or operative variables including reconstruction timing (delayed vs. immediate interval), readmission, and reoperation. Conclusions: Individuals who received an NSM prior to DIEP reconstruction had more flap complications compared to the SSM cohort. Both cohorts had comparable overall 30-day postoperative complication rates and demographic variables, and rate of total DIEP flap loss was 2.4%. Patient preference can further guide surgical decision-making.