Abstract
Background
Nipple hypertrophy is a frequently encountered problem in Asian women. It may be congenital or caused by hormones, breast feeding, or gestation. The hypertrophy has been linked primarily to aesthetics. The nipples of Asian women usually are 6–10 mm in diameter and 5–8 mm in height, and women with nipples larger than 1.5 cm in diameter or height frequently ask for reduction nippleplasty.
Methods
Women with nipple hypertrophy seeking reductive surgery at the authors’ hospital between 2004 and 2009 were considered for nippleplasty. A new design consisting of three dermal flaps and sparing of the central column was used. This design can reduce the diameter, height, and most importantly, the basal shape of the nipple without compromising neurovascular supply and functions.
Results
During the aforementioned period, 86 nipples of 43 patients were corrected with this method. All the patients were satisfied with the aesthetic results, preserved lactation, and sensory function. No major complications such as necrosis, infection, or numbness of the nipple occurred.
Conclusions
This reduction nippleplasty method can be applied for all types of nipple hypertrophy to create a new nipple of the desired height and diameter without significant complications.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cheng MH, Smartt JM, Rodriguez ED, Ulusal BG (2006) Nipple reduction using the modified top hat flap. Plast Reconstr Surg 118:1517–1525
Lai YL, Wu WC (1996) Nipple reduction with a modified circumcision technique. Br J Plast Surg 49:307–309
Bostwick J III (1990) Nipple–areolar position and appearance: plastic and reconstructive breast surgery. Quality Medical Publishing, St. Louis
Regnault P (1975) Nipple hypertrophy: a physiologic reduction by circumcision. Clin Plast Surg 2:391–396
Basile FV, Chang YC (2007) The triple-flap nipple-reduction technique. Ann Plast Surg 59:260–262
van Wingerden JJ (1997) Nummular nipple hypertrophy and repair as part of an aesthetic nipple–areola unit. Aesthet Plast Surg 21:408–411
Baxter RA (2003) Nipple or areolar reduction with simultaneous breast augmentation. Plast Reconstr Surg 112:1918–1921 (discussion 1922)
DeBono R, Rao GS (1997) A simple technique for correction of male nipple hypertrophy: the “sinusoidal” nipple reduction. Plast Reconstr Surg 100:1890–1892
Vecchione TR (1979) The reduction of the hypertrophic nipple. Aesthet Plast Surg 3:343–345
Marshall KA, Wolfort FG, Cochran TC (1977) Surgical correction of nipple hypertrophy in male gynecomastia: case report. Plast Reconstr Surg 60:277–279
Pitanguy I, Cansancao A (1971) Reducao do mamilo. Rev Bras Cir 61:73
Ferreira LM, Neto MS, Okamoto RH, Andrews JDM (1995) Surgical correction of nipple hypertrophy. Plast Reconstr Surg 95:753–754
Sperli AE (1974) Cosmetic reduction of the nipple with functional preservation. Br J Plast Surg 27:42–43
Acknowledgment
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Huang, WC., Yu, CM. & Chang, YY. Geometric Incision Design for Reduction Nippleplasty. Aesth Plast Surg 36, 560–565 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-011-9833-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-011-9833-6