Transaxillary retromammary route approach of video-assisted breast surgery enables the inner-side breast cancer to be resected for breast conserving surgery.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic surgery for inner-side breast cancer usually is performed by periareolar approach, but leaves deformation or malposition, and sensory disturbance. We devised an approach of retromammary route without subcutaneous removal, from an axillary skin incision, to treat distant cancers and also to preserve sensation to skin touch.

METHODS: We have performed video-assisted breast surgery on 230 patients. The transaxillary retromammary-route approach was performed on 20 patients with early breast cancer. From a 2.5-cm axillary incision, we dissected the major pectoral muscle fascia to detach retromammary tissue. We cut the proximal side of the gland vertically, and dissected the skin flap over the tumor by the tunnel method. Then we cut each side of the gland vertically and removed it through the axillary port.

RESULTS: All surgical margins were negative. The surgical time was 45 minutes longer than the conventional video-assisted breast surgery. The postoperative esthetic results were good.

CONCLUSIONS: The transaxillary retromammary-route approach leaves no injury on whole breast, and can become a single standard method for breast-conserving surgery wherever a cancer is situated.