Cleveland Clinic is the first centre in Ohio to perform a nipple-sparing robotic mastectomy
4 minutes read
Cleveland Clinic has performed Ohio’s first nipple-sparing robotic mastectomy. Instead of the traditional open incision of about five inches, a one-inch incision on the side of the breast, with reconstruction in the same operation.
The health system is among the few centres in the United States offering this minimally invasive robotic procedure.
Cleveland. Cleveland Clinic is among the first hospitals in the United States, and the first in Ohio, to perform a nipple-sparing robotic mastectomy, following recent authorisation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Dr. Stephanie Valente, doctor of osteopathic medicine, and a surgical team recently performed the first nipple-sparing robotic mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital. The procedure offers a new minimally invasive approach for breast cancer surgery and for risk-reducing mastectomies in patients at high risk of developing the disease.
This milestone places Cleveland Clinic among a select group of centres in the United States offering this advanced technology and brings one of the most recent innovations in breast surgery to patients in northeast Ohio.
“This robotic approach offers greater precision through a much smaller incision, which can mean less visible scarring and a faster recovery,” explained Dr. Valente, director of Cleveland Clinic’s Breast Surgery Fellowship Programme and director of the Multidisciplinary Breast Programme for the West Region. “Compared with the traditional procedure, which requires a larger incision, this approach can improve aesthetic outcomes, preserve the skin and the nipple, and support a more natural appearance after surgery.”
During the procedure, surgeons use a 3D camera and robotic instruments introduced through a small incision of about one inch, generally placed on the side of the breast rather than underneath. Breast tissue is removed through that route while the nipple, areola and skin are preserved. The robotic platform, the da Vinci SP surgical system, provides enhanced visualisation and precision while minimising disruption to the skin covering the breast.
Robotic surgery gives the surgeon better visualisation of the operative field in a procedure that usually presents significant technical challenges. This improved visualisation can make it easier to identify and preserve nerves, reduce blood loss and allow surgeons to carry out the same oncological operation through a one-inch incision instead of the traditional open incision of about five inches.
The robotic approach removes the same breast tissue as a conventional mastectomy, but changes the way the surgeon reaches the breast. In some patients, breast reconstruction can be performed during the same operation.
This approach is designed to reduce scarring, improve aesthetic outcomes, preserve the natural covering of skin and nipple, support sensation and speed up recovery. For some patients, a less visible incision can also help strengthen confidence and improve how they see their body after surgery. The procedure widens Cleveland Clinic’s minimally invasive breast surgery options, which also include endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy.
“As a specialty, over the past decade we have not had many new options for patients who need breast surgery, so we are pleased to now have these minimally invasive procedures,” said Dr. Valente. “Innovations like this support a more patient-centred experience, because they let us address both the physical and the emotional realities of breast cancer.”
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit multispecialty academic medical centre that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based on the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation, Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognised in the United States and around the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 83,000 employees worldwide are more than 6,600 salaried physicians and researchers, and 21,900 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,725-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 300 outpatient centres and locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and London, England. In 2025, there were a total of 15.9 million outpatient visits, 343,000 hospital admissions and observations and 336,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system.