National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend autologous reconstruction as the preferred breast reconstruction after mastectomy in previously irradiated patients because of higher complication rates and worse aesthetic outcomes as compared to immediate breast implant reconstruction. In fact, unacceptable rates of complications (60-70%) have been reported by first experiences. Instead, autologous reconstruction showed lower complication rates as compared to implant-based breast reconstruction (25.5% vs 50.9%). However, it may not be indicated in patients with previous surgery at the donor site or in case of other contraindications, requires longer surgical time and is at risk of donor-site morbidity and loss of sensation.
On the other hand, fat grafting improves softness of tissues and scars, releasing their rigidity and for these effects it has been studied for effectively promoting the regeneration of irradiated tissues, enlarging the envelope thickness for safety reasons, optimizing cosmetic outcomes and ultimately increasing patient comfort and quality of life.
Therefore, a surgical technique combining implant-based breast reconstruction after mastectomy and fat grafting may favor alloplastic reconstruction in selected patients.
The investigators enroll patients candidate to mastectomy and breast reconstruction who had received prior adjuvant radiation therapy after breast conserving surgery (BCS) or radiation therapy for the treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL).
Aims of the study are to investigate (i) the feasibility of implant-based breast reconstruction and fat grafting after mastectomy (simple mastectomy, nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomy); (ii) the oncological safety of implant-based breast reconstruction and fat grafting.
