Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Nipple-areola reconstruction: outcome assessment

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The creation of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) is usually the final step in the surgical treatment of breast cancer patients. It has substantial aesthetic and symbolic implications for the patients involved. In this study we reviewed 17 consecutive nipple-areola reconstructions over a 4-year period. Breast reconstruction in these patients was performed using a combination of breast implant only (n=4) and flap reconstructions (latissimus dorsi, TRAM) (n=13). The skate flap technique was used for nipple reconstruction in all of these patients. Patients were assessed objectively and subjectively. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 48 months (mean 20 months). Mean nipple projection at review was 6.75 mm (range 5.2–9 mm) and mean nipple diameter was 12 mm (range 8–14 mm). The majority of the patients were satisfied with the results.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bertelli JA, Pereira Filho OJ, Ely JB (1999) Sensitive areolar reconstruction using a neurocutaneous island flap based on the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve. Plast Reconstr Surg 104:1748–1750

    Google Scholar 

  2. Broadbent TR, Woolf RM, Metz PS (1977) Restoring the mammary areola by a skin graft from the upper inner thigh. Br J Plast Surg 30:220–222

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Few JW, Marcus JR, Casas LA, Aitken EM, Redding J (1999) Long-term predictable nipple projection following reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 104:1321–1324

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Guida CA, PicchiA, Inzirillo S (1975) Areola and nipple reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 56:454–455

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Henseler H, Cheong V, Weiler-Mithoff EM, MacKay IR, Webster MHC (2001) The use of Munsell colour charts in nipple-areola tattooing. Br J Plast Surg 54:338–340

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Klatsky SA, Manson PN (1981) Toe pulp free grafts in nipple reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 68:245–248

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Little JW (1984) Nipple-areolar reconstruction. Clin Plast Surg 11:351–364

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Little JW, Spear SL (1988) The finishing touches in nipple areola reconstruction. Perspect Plast Surg 2:1

    Google Scholar 

  9. Mosley HF, Miller GG (1952) Textbook of surgery. Mosby , St Louis, pp 269–272

  10. Snyder CC, Pickens JE, Slater PV (1972) Surgery of the areola-nipple complex. In: Symposium on Aesthetic surgery of the face, eyelid and breast. Mosby, St Louis, pp 192–208

  11. Spear SL, Arias J (1995) Long-term experience with nipple-areola tattooing. Ann Plast Surg 35:232–236

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Thomas SV, Gellis MB, Pool R (1996) Nipple reconstruction with a new local tissue flap. Plast Reconstr Surg 97:5

    Google Scholar 

  13. Wellisch DK, Schain WS, Noone RB, Little JW 3rd (1987) The psychological contribution of nipple addition in breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 80:699–704

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Hussain.

Additional information

An editor’s comment to this paper can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00238-003-0567-9.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hussain, M., Rynn, L., Riordan, C. et al. Nipple-areola reconstruction: outcome assessment. Eur J Plast Surg 26, 356–358 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-003-0566-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-003-0566-x

Keywords

Navigation