A Prospective CohorT Study of HandX - Assisted ENdoscopic MAstectomy: Feasibility and Safety (ATHENA I Study)

Overview

This study aims to learn whether a handheld robotic device, called the HandX, can help surgeons safely perform a minimally invasive nipple-sparing mastectomy. This type of mastectomy uses a small incision at the side of the breast to remove breast tissue while keeping the skin and nipple in place. The goal is to lower scarring, improve comfort, and support good cosmetic results after surgery. Participants in this study will already be planning to have a therapeutic or preventive mastectomy with immediate implant-based reconstruction. All surgeries are done at Mediterraneo Hospital in Greece. During the operation, surgeons use the HandX device to assist with the endoscopic dissection. Researchers will collect information about how long the surgery takes, whether the planned approach can be completed without switching to open surgery, and whether any surgical complications occur. They will also check healing, infection, and implant-related problems for up to 365 days after surgery. Participants will complete the BREAST-Q questionnaire before surgery and at several times after surgery to share their views on comfort, well-being, and cosmetic outcomes. About 15 participants will take part. The results will help researchers understand whether this approach is practical and safe, and whether it should be studied further in a larger trial.

This is a prospective, single-center, single-arm interventional study designed to evaluate the feasibility and surgical safety of HandX-assisted endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate implant-based breast reconstruction. The HandX system is a handheld articulating robotic instrument that provides wrist-like motion, motion scaling, and ergonomic control. Unlike console-based robotic platforms, HandX integrates into standard minimally invasive workflows without the need for a large footprint, dedicated console, or complex docking procedures. Early clinical experience in other surgical specialties suggests that the technology may improve access and ergonomics during dissection while maintaining procedural efficiency. This study investigates its use specifically in endoscopic breast surgery, where instrument articulation and visualization are key technical challenges. All participants will undergo the mastectomy through a single lateral mammary fold incision. Following tumescent injection and creation of a working space, a single-port device is placed, and CO₂ insufflation is used to establish the operative cavity. The HandX device is then employed for endoscopic dissection of the breast gland from the skin envelope and the nipple-areola complex. Specimen retrieval is performed through the same incision. Reconstruction is completed using implant-based techniques (prepectoral, dual-plane, PU-coated, or subpectoral), according to preoperative planning and standard practice. Axillary procedures (sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection) may be performed through the same incision when indicated. The study focuses on technical feasibility-specifically, the ability to complete the endoscopic mastectomy using the HandX platform without unplanned conversion to an open approach. Technical success is defined in the protocol and includes completion of all key steps of the planned minimally invasive procedure. Adjunct use of standard laparoscopic instruments or minor incision extensions for specimen handling does not constitute conversion, provided that the minimally invasive workflow is preserved. Safety outcomes include intraoperative complications, 30-day and 90-day postoperative adverse events, surgical site infections assessed according to CDC/NHSN definitions, implant-related complications, and implant loss through one year. Postoperative care follows standardized pathways for implant-based reconstruction, including consistent antibiotic and VTE prophylaxis policies and predefined criteria for drain management. Participants are reviewed at scheduled visits through postoperative day 28, with additional follow-up through day 90 for infection surveillance, and through one year for implant-related outcomes. Patient-reported outcomes are assessed using the BREAST-Q® Reconstruction Module (Version 2.0), administered preoperatively and at postoperative months 1, 6, and 12. These measures provide data on satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial and sexual well-being, physical well-being of the chest, and satisfaction with aspects of care. Only implant-reconstruction-relevant scales are used. All data are collected in electronic case report forms, stored securely, and managed in compliance with GDPR and institutional policies. Monitoring is internal due to the single-center pilot nature of the study. The study plans to accrue up to 20 mastectomy cases, corresponding to approximately 15 participants, as bilateral procedures are counted per breast. The sample size of 20 cases is consistent with recommendations for feasibility studies intended to inform future multicenter comparative trials. Analyses are descriptive. Technical success, complication rates, and patient-reported outcomes will be summarized with confidence intervals. Progression criteria and stopping rules are predefined in the protocol, including thresholds for major complications, device-related serious events, and oncologic or surgical concerns that may warrant pause or termination of the study. Findings from this pilot study will inform the development of larger controlled trials evaluating the comparative effectiveness, aesthetic outcomes, recovery profiles, and cost implications of HandX-assisted endoscopic mastectomy relative to other surgical approaches.