THE IMPORTANCE OF PERFORATING VESSELS IN NIPPLE SPARING MASTECTOMY: AN ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION

Nipple Sparing Mastectomy (NSM), understood as an oncologically valid procedure, is relatively new; it is as an evolution of traditional mastectomy, particularly in relation to breast-conserving surgery. The anterior perforating branches are responsible for the cutaneous vascularization of the breast skin and their preservation appears as a fundamental step to avoid possible postoperative necrosis. So, in the evaluation of complications of cancer reconstructive surgery procedures, such as NSM, it should be considered beyond the distance of tumor from the skin and the choice of the line of surgical access. The site of incision being preferred, is corresponding to the inframammary fold or possibly periareolar.