article_snippet: A cleavage sparing mastectomy involved leaving behind some breast tissue to provide an improved cleavage for the patient.
article_snippet: But A cleavage sparing mastectomy involved leaving behind some breast tissue to provide an improved cleavage for the patient breached national guidelines, which state that leaving tissue after a mastectomy increases the chances of cancer recurring - especially if the remaining breast tissue does not receive radiotherapy.
article_snippet: This is because a significant proportion of breast tissue is deliberately left by the surgeon in the inner aspect of the breast in order to give the patient breast cleavage - even in women not undergoing immediate reconstruction.
article_snippet: The technique is different to the widely-used skin sparing mastectomy, where the surgeon leaves behind an envelope of skin to improve the appearance of breast reconstruction.