Fig. 1

Atlas of scarless oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery. a1, b1 The location of the tumor, as well as the planned excision region, were marked on the skin of the breast, and a semi-peri-nipple-areolar-complex incision was done to remove the tumor-containing specimen. a2, b2 A lighted retractor is useful for the excision. The surgical margin assessment was performed as a standard-of-care practice. a3, b3 The superficial layer of the upper outer quadrant of the breast was undermined through a semi-peri-nipple-areolar-complex incision and the axillary incision that was made for sentinel lymph node biopsy. The corresponding retro-mammary space was not undermined completely. Usually, one-third to half of the retro-mammary space is undermined. a4, b4 The upper outer quadrant of the breast tissues were then rotated medially into the cavity. a5, b5 The scar of this procedure can be minimized with satisfactory cosmetic outcome. The atlas (a1–a5) was produced by Dr. Yinuo Huang; the surgery was performed by Dr. Erwei Song and Dr. Kai Chen; the photographs were provided by Dr. Kai Chen, with consent obtained from the patient