Electrical Stimulation for Improving Postoperative Breast Sensation
NCT ID: NCT03240900
Last Updated: 2026-02-06
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NA
30 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2027-09-01
2028-11-30
Brief Summary
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Our laboratory has previously shown that electrical stimulation (ES) is an effective way of improving nerve regeneration after injury to the nerves of the upper and lower extremities. Proven to improve motor outcomes following carpal and cubital tunnel release and sensation following injury to the digital nerves, this technique is a likely mechanism of restoring sensation of the breast as well.
In this study, we will follow thirty women undergoing prophylactic skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate implant-based reconstruction. At the time of surgery, patients will be randomly assigned ES to either the right or left breast. That breast will be reconstructed first and stimulated for one hour while the other breast is reconstructed. At the completion of the case, all wires will be removed. We will test sensation (tactile, temperature, 2-point discrimination, sharp/dull discrimination, and protective sensation) prior to surgery then again at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months following surgery to evaluate the effects of ES on sensory return. Patients will be provided with a survey to assess return of erogenous sensation.
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Detailed Description
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Background: There is an increasing trend towards prophylactic mastectomy with immediate implant-based reconstruction for women with genetics predisposing to breast cancer (BRCA-1 and -2). Novel techniques such as fat grafting and nipple creation/tattooing have contributing towards creating an aesthetically pleasing breast mound; however, the majority of women experience non-recoverable significant sensory loss secondary to damage and stretch of the intercostal nerves that provide sensation to the skin, areola, and nipple. Most women will recover minimal sensation around the perimeter of the breast, indicating a potential for sensory return; however, particularly the nipple usually remains numb. An insensate breast feels unnatural to the woman and predisposes her to injury and burns of the reconstruction, which can require additional surgery or cause significant scarring.
Our laboratory has previously shown that electrical stimulation (ES) is safe and significantly improves postoperative outcomes in peripheral nerve injury in animal and human models. ES has been shown to improve return of median and ulnar nerve function following carpal and cubital tunnel release respectively, with improved motor outcomes. Sensory return following digital nerve laceration repair similarly is improved with immediate postoperative ES for one hour.
Methods: Thirty patients that will be undergoing bilateral prophylactic skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate implant-based breast reconstruction will be identified from the practice of two plastic surgeons. Preoperatively, women will be undergo sensory testing to the 4 quadrants of both breasts and the nipples, including testing for tactile sensation, cool detection, 2-point discrimination, heat-pain detection threshold, and sharp-blunt discrimination. A custom-made survey to evaluate erogenous sensation will be completed by the patient, as well as the validated BREAST-Q.
The day of surgery the patient will be randomized to right or left breast for stimulation. Following the mastectomy, the breast to be stimulated will be reconstructed with an implant first in the typical fashion. A percutaneous needle will be passed into the intercostal space alongside the 4th intercostal nerve, and a second needle will be inserted into the serratus anterior muscle . These needles will be attached to the anode and cathode respectively of our electrical stimulator, and the patient will receive 1 hour of intraoperative stimulation titrated to palpable contraction of the intercostal muscle. During this hour, the second breast will undergo reconstruction with no electrical stimulation. At the completion of the hour, the skin will be closed in the normal fashion. The laterality will be blinded to the patient as well as to the investigator who will perform all sensory testing.
Postoperatively, the patient will be evaluated at 1 week, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months with the same sensory testing as described previously. Patients will serve as their own internal control, and the sensation of the right vs. left breast will be compared. At the completion of all 2-year evaluations, the study will be unblinded and the stimulated vs. non-stimulated breast outcomes will be compared.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
SINGLE_GROUP
TREATMENT
QUADRUPLE
Study Groups
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Electrical Stimulation Breast
Breast that will receive 1 hour of intraoperative electrical stimulation
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation - a needle attached to an cathode polarity will be placed within the intercostal space near the 4th intercostal nerve. A second needle attached to the anode polarity will be inserted into the serratus anterior muscle. Both electrodes will then be attached to a Grass SD9 stimulator and the voltage and frequency of the stimulation will be titrated to the point where contraction of the intercostal muscles is palpable. It will be maintained at this level for one hour at which point the wires will be removed. This technique is part of the standard of care for peripheral nerve surgeries of the extremities and is proven to be safe in humans.
No Electrical Stimulation Breast
The contralateral breast of the patient will receive no electrical stimulation
Placebo
This breast will receive no electrical stimulation; the mastectomy and reconstruction will proceed with no intervention.
Interventions
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Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation - a needle attached to an cathode polarity will be placed within the intercostal space near the 4th intercostal nerve. A second needle attached to the anode polarity will be inserted into the serratus anterior muscle. Both electrodes will then be attached to a Grass SD9 stimulator and the voltage and frequency of the stimulation will be titrated to the point where contraction of the intercostal muscles is palpable. It will be maintained at this level for one hour at which point the wires will be removed. This technique is part of the standard of care for peripheral nerve surgeries of the extremities and is proven to be safe in humans.
Placebo
This breast will receive no electrical stimulation; the mastectomy and reconstruction will proceed with no intervention.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
* Preexisting peripheral neuropathy
* Prior breast surgery
18 Years
60 Years
FEMALE
No
Sponsors
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University of Alberta
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Ming Chan
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Professor University of Alberta
Locations
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University of Alberta Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Misericordia Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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References
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Dossett LA, Lowe J, Sun W, Lee MC, Smith PD, Jacobsen PB, Laronga C. Prospective evaluation of skin and nipple-areola sensation and patient satisfaction after nipple-sparing mastectomy. J Surg Oncol. 2016 Jul;114(1):11-6. doi: 10.1002/jso.24264. Epub 2016 Apr 18.
Wong JN, Olson JL, Morhart MJ, Chan KM. Electrical stimulation enhances sensory recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Neurol. 2015 Jun;77(6):996-1006. doi: 10.1002/ana.24397. Epub 2015 May 4.
Gordon T, Amirjani N, Edwards DC, Chan KM. Brief post-surgical electrical stimulation accelerates axon regeneration and muscle reinnervation without affecting the functional measures in carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Exp Neurol. 2010 May;223(1):192-202. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.09.020. Epub 2009 Oct 1.
Chan KM, Gordon T, Zochodne DW, Power HA. Improving peripheral nerve regeneration: from molecular mechanisms to potential therapeutic targets. Exp Neurol. 2014 Nov;261:826-35. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.09.006. Epub 2014 Sep 16.
Gahm J, Hansson P, Brandberg Y, Wickman M. Breast sensibility after bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction: a prospective study. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2013 Nov;66(11):1521-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2013.06.054. Epub 2013 Aug 13.
Passavanti MB, Pace MC, Barbarisi A, D'Andrea F, Grella E, Nicoletti GF, Aurilio C. Pain and sensory dysfunction after breast cancer surgery: neurometer CPT evaluation. Anticancer Res. 2006 Sep-Oct;26(5B):3839-44.
Chan KM, Curran MW, Gordon T. The use of brief post-surgical low frequency electrical stimulation to enhance nerve regeneration in clinical practice. J Physiol. 2016 Jul 1;594(13):3553-9. doi: 10.1113/JP270892. Epub 2016 Mar 24.
Gordon T, Brushart TM, Chan KM. Augmenting nerve regeneration with electrical stimulation. Neurol Res. 2008 Dec;30(10):1012-22. doi: 10.1179/174313208X362488.
Other Identifiers
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Estim Breast
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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