Closure of partial mastectomy

A longstanding controversy surrounds whether to close breast parenchyma at the completion of a partial mastectomy for breast cancer. Modification of a technique described 80 years ago finds the middle ground between various opinions and simultaneously addresses 2 issues: (1) approximation of the deep and superficial surfaces of the parenchyma, without sutures within the parenchyma, minimizes “dents;” and (2) a radial suture line preserves the distance from the nipple to the periphery of the breast which minimizes traction on the nipple.