Shocking the nerves back to life: electrical zap during mastectomy may restore breast feeling
NCT ID NCT03240900
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether giving a mild electrical stimulation to the nerves during mastectomy surgery can help restore sensation to the breast and nipple. Thirty women having both breasts removed and reconstructed will receive the stimulation on one breast only, and their sensation will be tested over two years. The goal is to reduce the numbness that often follows this type of surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Electrical stimulation device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to restore feeling in the breast and nipple after mastectomy, reducing numbness and risk of injury.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage study with only 30 participants. The treatment is applied during surgery and may not produce lasting or meaningful sensation for everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2027
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 60 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Woman aged 18-60 undergoing bilateral, prophylactic nipple/skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction Exclusion Criteria: * Smokers * Preexisting peripheral neuropathy * Prior breast surgery
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Misericordia Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, T5R4H5, Canada
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University of Alberta Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, T5R2E1, Canada
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