Brooklyn Hospital Performs First Sensation-Saving Mastectomy

July 16, 2026 - 21:31

Brooklyn, NY - NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County has achieved a surgical milestone by successfully completing its first sensation-preserving nipple-sparing mastectomy. The procedure, performed on a patient diagnosed with breast cancer, marks a significant advancement in the hospital's approach to oncologic breast surgery.

Unlike traditional mastectomies that remove the entire breast including the nipple and skin, this technique preserves the nipple-areola complex while also aiming to maintain nerve function. The surgery involved a careful dissection that spared the intercostal nerves responsible for sensation in the breast skin. By reconnecting or protecting these nerves during the removal of breast tissue, surgeons can offer patients a more natural cosmetic outcome along with retained feeling.

Dr. Lisa Jacobs, the lead surgeon on the case, explained that the goal was to prioritize both cancer removal and quality of life. "We are moving beyond simply saving the breast shape. We want women to retain a sense of normalcy and physical sensation after treatment," she said.

The patient, who requested anonymity, is recovering well and reported early signs of preserved sensation in the treated area. Hospital officials stated that this technique will now be offered as an option for eligible candidates, particularly those with early-stage breast cancer and favorable tumor locations. The success of this case positions Kings County as a regional leader in advanced, patient-centered breast cancer care.