Background: The nipples-saving mastectomy (NSM), most recent technique, allows the whole mammary
gland removal preserving the nipple-areola compound (NAC), obtaining oncologic safe results. When
indicated, NSM is validated by the great aesthetic results obtained.
Objectives: The objective of this review is the evaluation of the effectiveness and oncologic safety of the
nipple-saving mastectomy, marking the most frequent complications. Moreover, the possibility to use the
NSM procedure as prophylactic mastectomy in patients at high risk has been evaluated.
Research Methods: A bibliographic research about clinical studies and previous reviews related to nipplessaving mastectomy has been conducted. No limitation about language was performed.
Results: The study included 12 articles, for a total of 2859 patients and 3849 NSM. Patients candidate to
NSM, either as a prophylactic or curative treatment of mammary carcinoma, must undergo a careful
selection screening. Most frequently occurring surgery-related complications were necrosis and infections;
though not altering the cosmetic results, that have been positively evaluated in almost all patients.
Conclusion: Preservation of the areola-nipple compound seems to be oncologically safe and does not
increase local recurrences, compared to the previous techniques. Moreover, it is associated with better
aesthetic results and patients’ higher satisfaction.