Both skin-sparing mastectomy and nipple-sparing mastectomy are performed only when immediately followed by breast reconstruction surgery.
Skin-sparing mastectomy involves the removal of the entire breast and nipple, but preserves the breast skin for a better cosmetic result in breast reconstruction.
Nipple-sparing mastectomy involves the removal of only the breast tissue. The breast skin and nipple remain with the goal of producing a better cosmetic result in breast reconstruction.
The highly skilled and experienced breast surgery and breast reconstruction team at Mercy offers both skin-sparing and nipple-sparring mastectomy and breast reconstruction to patients who are appropriate candidates for this type of surgery.