A new scarless oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery: modified round block technique

Abstract

Round block technique (RBT) is often utilized in breast-conserving surgery, but has problems of late-onset scar widening and changes in the shape or the position of the areola. We have modified RBT (MRBT) to resolve those problems. A circumferential incision was made without excision of the periareolar skin, and subcutaneous dissection was extended to the entire breast. The wound could be widened and moved onto the distant tumor by application of a wound retractor. Partial mastectomy was then performed under direct vision. The wound was easily closed without tension. Forty breast cancer patients were treated with MRBT. The median distance between the nipple and the tumor was 5.2 cm, and the median areolar size was 2.8 cm. Cosmetic results were satisfactory with minimal scar formation. There were neither subsequent changes in the shape nor the position of the areola. MRBT is a useful oncoplastic technique in patients with small areolae, and/or when the tumor location is distant from the nipple.

Keywords: Breast-conserving surgery; Oncoplastic surgery; Round block technique.