Surgical Outcome of Round Block Technique for Management of Early Breast Cancer

Background: The round block technique (RBT) is a single-incision oncoplastic approach increasingly used in breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for early breast cancer. While it offers potential cosmetic advantages, data on its combined oncological safety and aesthetic outcomes remain limited, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the oncological safety, postoperative complications, and cosmetic outcomes of the round block technique in the management of early-stage breast cancer. Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial study included 41 women with early breast cancer (cT1-2 N0-1 M0). All patients underwent BCS using the RBT approach. Preoperative evaluation included clinical, radiological, and histopathological assessments. Surgical outcomes, postoperative complications, and cosmetic results were assessed using the Breast-Q questionnaire and the Harvard scale. Results: Mean age was 44.3±6.2 years; tumors averaged 2.1±0.6 cm (upper-outer quadrant 43.9%). Sentinel node biopsy succeeded in 90.2%; operative time 97.2±12.9 min; blood loss 86.8±15.4 mL. Clear margins achieved in 82.9%; re-excision 4.9%. Complications occurred in 12.2% (seroma 7.3%, infection 4.9%). Breast-Q scored 83.4±5.5; 95.2% rated good/excellent cosmesis. Tumor size independently predicted positive margins (OR 41.0, p=0.028). No recurrences at 6 months. Conclusion: RBT demonstrates oncological safety comparable to standard BCS with superior aesthetic outcomes in younger Middle Eastern patients. Long-term multicentric validation is warranted.