A simple mastectomy involves the removal of which of the following?

A simple mastectomy specifically involves the removal of the breast tissue itself without extensive dissection of lymph nodes. This procedure is typically performed when there is a need to remove the breast to treat or prevent breast cancer but not to remove surrounding tissues or lymph nodes in the axillary region. The focus is solely on the breast, preserving underlying structures such as lymph nodes, making option B the correct one.

The other options describe different scopes of surgery. For instance, the first option mentions the removal of the entire breast and associated lymph nodes, which aligns more with a modified radical mastectomy rather than a simple mastectomy. The third option refers to the breast alongside "axillary contents," indicating the removal of lymph nodes and possibly more surrounding tissues, again suggesting a more extensive procedure. The last option describes a technique aimed at preserving remaining tissue, which contrasts with the definition of a simple mastectomy, where the goal is to remove all breast tissue.