Impact of Nipple Reconstruction in Mastectomized Patients Using Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid Injection.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm among women worldwide. Similarly, in Spain, it is also the most prevalent tumor in women, surpassing colorectal cancer. The incidence of this disease in our country has steadily increased over the past decades, with approximately 26,000 cases diagnosed each year, accounting for 25-30% of all female malignancies. For affected individuals, both the disease and its treatment lead to physical and bodily changes, which in turn have significant emotional implications. A woman facing a breast cancer diagnosis and its associated management goes through a critical period in her life. During this time, the altered self-image resulting from various treatment side effects is often accompanied by a fear of losing femininity and self-confidence, with potentially significant repercussions on the patient's quality of life.

Modern society increasingly demands not only the cure of diseases but also the consideration of factors that enhance patients' quality of life. According to data from the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SECPRE), of the 36,000 women mentioned above, approximately 64% will require a mastectomy-defined as the surgical removal of the entire affected breast-and 28% will undergo breast reconstruction.

For these women, the final stage of breast reconstruction typically culminates in the reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex (NAC), which, according to DiCenso et al., represents the conclusion of surgical and adjuvant treatments, as well as the end of uncertainty. It symbolizes the transition from patient to survivor. The healing process is not considered complete until the areola and nipple are reconstructed, thus achieving a morphologically complete breast rather than merely restoring volume.

Micropigmentation is a technique involving the deposition of pigment into the skin using ultra-fine needles. It is simple, safe, does not require general anesthesia, and can be performed by trained nurses in outpatient settings. When a neo-nipple has not been created or has retracted, subcutaneous injection of cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) can restore lost volume, improve the realism of micropigmentation, and support emotional healing by improving body image and self-esteem. HA is safe, hydrophilic, biocompatible, and widely used in dermal fillers for volume projection.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of HA-based nipple reconstruction in terms of psychosocial and sexual well-being, satisfaction with the breasts and nipples, and the patient's lived experience.

Specific objectives include:

Identifying the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the participants.

Assessing differences in psychosocial and sexual well-being, satisfaction with breasts, nipples, and micropigmentation.

Determining nipple projection and HA retention.

Exploring patient experiences with quality of life, self-confidence, and emotional recovery.

Study Design:

This is a mixed-methods study employing a sequential explanatory design. Phase 1 is a randomized controlled trial comparing micropigmentation alone (control) with micropigmentation plus HA injection (intervention). Phase 2 is a descriptive phenomenological study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.

Setting:

Conducted at the Areolar Micropigmentation Unit, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital in Barcelona, a high-tech center that treats 53 patients yearly and is staffed by nurses trained in body image and dermoesthetics.

Population:

Women ≥18 undergoing NAC micropigmentation for the first time. Exclusion criteria include HA allergy or intolerance. Sample size: 138 women (69 per group) in Phase 1. Phase 2 will continue until data saturation (typically 5-15 participants).

Measurements:

BREAST-Q (Spanish version) will assess well-being and satisfaction. A custom questionnaire will assess satisfaction with micropigmentation. Nipple projection will be measured with calipers, and HA data recorded. Interviews will explore body image, self-esteem, intimacy, and expectations.

Data Collection:

Patients will be enrolled during UMA visits. After consent, baseline data and BREAST-Q will be collected. Micropigmentation will be done in 2-4 sessions. For the intervention group, HA will be administered 15 days post-micropigmentation in 2-3 dermal injections. Follow-ups include questionnaires post-procedure and at 3 and 6 months.

Analysis:

Quantitative data will be analyzed using SPSS v.29 with descriptive and inferential statistics (t-test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, chi-square). Qualitative data will be analyzed using Braun & Clarke's method in NVivo. Trustworthiness will be ensured by Lincoln & Guba's criteria.

Limitations:

Challenges include lack of double-blinding, variable timelines, and emotional vulnerability. Measures include standardized protocols and extended data collection.

Justification:

This is the first study to evaluate HA-based nipple reconstruction performed by advanced practice nurses using validated PROMs. HA offers a minimally invasive, adjustable alternative to surgery with fewer complications. Its application in nurse-led outpatient care is novel.

Ethics:

Approved by the Ethics Committee of Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital. Conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki, Spanish biomedical regulations, and data protection laws (LOPD 3/2018). Informed consent will be obtained. Data will be pseudonymized and securely stored.

• Quantitative Phase
• Inclusion Criteria:

Women over 18 years of age, or with parental or legal guardian consent.

At least one of the following criteria:

Women undergoing their first nipple-areola complex (NAC) reconstruction through micropigmentation and/or:

No previous neo-nipple surgery, either unilaterally or bilaterally.

Surgical reconstruction of the areola.

Surgical reconstruction of the NAC with subsequent retraction of the neo-nipple.

More than 6 months since their last surgery.

• Exclusion Criteria:

Allergy to hyaluronic acid.

Poor tolerance to needle injections.

Withdrawal Criteria:

Participant's voluntary decision.

Complications associated with the technique (allergy, hematoma, etc.).

Clinical deterioration preventing the woman from continuing in the study.

• Qualitative Phase

Participant Profile Characteristics: For the qualitative phase, women who have received NAC reconstruction with HA will be invited to participate, following the maximum variation criterion. To ensure the inclusion of participants with diverse characteristics and capture a wide range of perspectives and experiences on the phenomenon under study, women of varying ages, with different breast cancer diagnoses, and histories of various oncological, surgical, and therapeutic treatments will be selected.