What is Mastectomy?

Introduction to Mastectomy
Mastectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removal of  the breast along with a few structures around the breast.

Why is Mastectomy performed?

• Curative purpose: in case of breast cancer or malignant tumor of breast.
• Preventive purpose: Prevention of breast cancer in high risk individuals

What are the structures removed ?
it includes en bloc or total removal of

• the entire breast mass, with the tumor
• an elliptical flap of skin is removed, whose center corresponds to the center of the tumor
• areola and nipple always removed
• lymph nodes in the axilla
• fat tissue below the skin all around the breast is removed
• pectoralis major muscle removed with its covering or fascia
• pectoralis minor muscle removed with its covering
• superficial fibres and covering of external intercostal muscle,upper rectus abdominis,serratus anterior,subscapularis,latissimus dorsi.

mastectomy

What structures are preserved?

• The veins have to be preserved so as to prevent post-operative oedema of the arm, these are Cephalic vein and Axillary vein.
• The nerves have to be preserved as well, these are nerve to serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi.

How should the incision look?

• The incision is 'elliptical' in shape
• After sutures, it forms an 'S' shape
• It should not be too tensed or stretched

skin flap

We will discuss about other types of Mastectomy surgeries and its complications in the next article.