Dr John Palu Regan, Patient Nolberta Cano and Dr. Jaime Alberty Direct
NYC Health + Hospitals
Dr John Palu Regan, Patient Nolberta Cano and Dr. Jaime Alberty Director of the Comprehensive Breast Center at Kings County Hospital
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County has successfully performed its first sensation-preserving nipple-sparing mastectomy, expanding access to an advanced breast cancer surgery within New York City's public hospital system. The innovative procedure is designed to preserve or restore sensation while maintaining effective cancer treatment, helping improve patients' long-term quality of life. Hospital leaders say the milestone reflects Kings County's commitment to bringing advanced, patient-centered surgical care to the diverse communities it serves.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County Successfully Performs Its First Sensation-Preserving Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
The procedure represents an important advancement in breast reconstruction by preserving or restoring sensation for patients within New York City's public health care system
(Brooklyn, NY – July 16, 2026) — NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County successfully performed the hospital's first sensation-preserving nipple-sparing mastectomy. The groundbreaking procedure was led by Dr. Jaime Alberty, Director of the Comprehensive Breast Center at Kings County Hospital and Dr. John Palu-Regan, a plastic surgeon. The procedure allows eligible patients to preserve or reconstruct sensory nerves in the breast and nipple while maintaining cancer treatment safety. Historically, patients seeking this advanced reconstructive option often had to seek care outside of the public hospital system. Bringing this procedure to Kings County Hospital expands access to innovative, patient-centered surgical care for the diverse communities it serves. Unlike a traditional mastectomy, a sensation-preserving nipple-sparing mastectomy is designed to maintain or restore feeling in the breast and nipple by identifying, protecting, and, when appropriate, reconstructing nerves during surgery. Many patients experience a significant return of sensation, with some studies indicating up to 80% of patients retaining or regaining sensitivity. The surgery was performed through close collaboration between the hospital’s breast surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery teams trained in microsurgery, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to care that is designed to optimize both clinical outcomes and long-term quality of life for patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.
“This milestone reflects the continued growth and evolution of surgical care at Kings County Hospital,” said Jaime Alberty, MD, Breast Oncologic Surgeon and Director Comprehensive Breast Center at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. “The successful performance of this advanced sensation-preserving mastectomy and reconstruction highlights the strength of our multidisciplinary teams and our commitment to bringing innovative, patient-centered surgical care to the communities we serve.”
“Our Department of Surgery remains dedicated to ensuring that patients throughout the NYC Health + Hospitals system have access to advanced, evidence-based treatment options across all surgical specialties,” said Melvin E. Stone, MD, Chief of Surgery at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. “We are incredibly proud of Dr. Alberty, Dr. Palu-Regan, and the entire breast care team for helping expand access to this innovative procedure within our public health care system.”
“Historically, breast reconstruction after mastectomy has focused primarily on restoring appearance,” said John Palu-Regan, DO, Plastic Surgeon at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. “Advances in reconstructive surgery now allow us to also focus on preserving function and sensation, which can have a significant impact on a patient’s long-term quality of life and recovery experience. It is incredibly rewarding to help bring these advanced reconstructive options to Kings County Hospital and to expand access to innovative breast reconstruction techniques within a public health care system.”
“Since the start of the process, I’ve felt good and very comfortable,” said patient Nolberta Cano, recipient of first Sensation-Preserving Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. “The doctors have been very professional. They’ve done a good job explaining everything to me, even in Spanish. Everything has gone exactly how they said it would.”
About Sensation-Preserving Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
During surgery, surgeons identify, preserve, and, when feasible, reconnect sensory nerves to the nipple or breast skin. In some cases, reconstructive techniques using nerve grafts may be employed to help bridge severed nerves and support nerve regeneration over the course of approximately 6 to 18 months. The procedure may be appropriate for patients undergoing nipple-sparing mastectomy for breast cancer treatment or for individuals choosing risk-reducing (prophylactic) surgery because of elevated genetic or clinical risk.
Beyond restoring aspects of physical sensation, this approach may improve long-term quality of life by preserving protective sensation and potentially reducing chronic post-mastectomy pain associated with nerve injury. The procedure can also help restore a more natural sense of feeling in the breast.
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County is a 639-bed acute care teaching hospital located in Central Brooklyn. Among our highly specialized programs are a Level I Trauma Center, Pediatric Emergency Room, Level 3 Perinatal Center, Heart Health Center, Stroke Center, Sickle Cell Program, Behavioral Health Center, and Diabetes Education Center of Excellence. Many of our programs have received national recognition, including our cardiac, stroke, and diabetes services. The hospital offers a broad array of primary and specialty care, including practices in neuroscience, orthopedics, urology and cardiology. Annually, our ambulatory care practices see well over 500,000 visits and more than 150,000 visits in the Behavioral Health outpatient program, in addition to close to 23,000 inpatient discharges. NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County has played a major role in providing health care to vulnerable populations in Brooklyn since 1831 and is part of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public health care system in the nation. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/kingscounty and stay connected on Facebook at facebook.com/KingsCountyHosp or X at @KingsCountyHosp.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alexis Davis, Chief Communication Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, [email protected]
SOURCE: NYC Health + Hospitals
SOURCE: Mt. Sinai Health System
