The Effect of Nitroglycerin Ointment, Fluorescent Angiography, and Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on Mastectomy Skin Flap Perfusion-Related Problems

This study's aim is to evaluate and compare a variety of interventions and their effect on the incidence of perfusion related problems in patients with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy and implant-based immediate breast reconstruction (IBR). The ability to identify, prevent and treat these perfusion related problems can help maximize aesthetic results after breast surgery, improve patient satisfaction with both mastectomy and breast reconstruction, and reduce healthcare cost associated with mastectomy and reconstruction complications.The study team will perform a randomized pilot study comprised of eight groups. All of these groups employ accepted techniques, medications and dressings and therefore are not experimental. Group 1: Breast skin after mastectomy will be clinically examined by the surgeon to determine if there is adequate blood flow to the skin to allow safe coverage of the breast implant. No dye study, ointment, or vacuum dressing will be applied to the breast after implant placement. Group 2 - Breast skin after mastectomy will be clinically examined by the surgeon, and nitroglycerin (NTG) cream will be applied to the breast skin after implant placement. This cream does not have systemic effects but may improve blood flow to the remnant breast skin after mastectomy. Group 3 - Breast skin after mastectomy will be clinically examined by the surgeon, and an incisional vacuum-assisted dressing (iVAC) will be placed over the breast incisions after implant placement, which may improve blood flow to the skin and help wound healing. Group 4 - Breast skin after mastectomy will be clinically examined by the surgeon, and both NTG cream will be applied to the breast skin and an iVAC will be placed over the incisions after implant placement. Group 5 - Blood flow to breast skin after mastectomy will be examined using a fluorescent dye study called fluorescent angiography (FA) to determine if there is adequate blood flow to the skin to allow safe coverage of the breast implant. No further intervention will be used after implant placement. Group 6 - Blood flow to breast skin breast skin will be examined using FA, and NTG cream will be applied to the skin after the implant is placed. Group 7 - Blood flow to breast skin breast skin will be examined using FA, and an iVAC will be placed over breast skin incisions after the implant is placed. Group 8 - Blood flow to breast skin breast skin will be examined using FA, and both NTG cream and iVAC will be used as interventions after the implant is placed. The dosage of indocyanine-green (IC-green) to be used for assessment of mastectomy flaps will be in 10 mg boluses, not to exceed 5 mg/kg. Nitro-Bid® (nitroglycerin ointment, 2%) at a dose of 45 mg (equal to 7.5 cm on the measuring strip provided with packaging) will be used. The paste will be applied to remnant breast skin after skin closure and surgical dressings placed over top. Incisional negative pressure wound therapy will consist of a standard sponge dressing with adhesive drape, either Ioban® 2 (3M ™) or KCI-V.A.C.® Drape (KCI®), to continuous suction at 125 mm Hg while the patient is in hospital and not to exceed 4 days. A physician will see the subjects on a regular weekly basis for up to 30 days once the procedure has been completed. These clinical visits are standard of care and the subject's health and well-being will be monitored rigorously during these visits. If during any of these visits, the physician deems a therapy necessary to prevent impairment/damage and improve well-being, the subject will be treated appropriately.