What is a surgical treatment that removes breast tissue, skin, nipple, and areola but leaves lymph nodes intact?

A simple mastectomy, also known as total mastectomy, involves the surgical removal of the breast tissue along with the skin, nipple, and areola, while leaving the lymph nodes intact. This procedure is typically performed in cases where there is a need to remove all breast tissue due to conditions such as breast cancer, but it does not require the removal of the underlying lymphatic structures.

The primary goal of a simple mastectomy is to eliminate the breast tissue that may harbor malignant cells, without the more extensive removal of surrounding structures, which is characteristic of other mastectomy techniques. This makes it a less invasive option compared to more radical procedures, achieving the necessary surgical intervention while preserving lymph node function.

In contrast, other options like modified radical mastectomy involve lymph node removal along with the breast tissue and surrounding skin, and a radical mastectomy includes the removal of additional surrounding tissue as well, making them more extensive surgeries. Lumpectomy focuses on excising only a portion of the breast tissue, which is completely different from removing all breast tissue.