Electrical Stimulation for Improving Postoperative Breast Sensation

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.

This breast will receive no electrical stimulation; the mastectomy and reconstruction will proceed with no intervention.