Nipple reconstruction with banked costal cartilage after vertical-type skin-sparing mastectomy and deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap

Abstract

We recently used skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM), the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap, and delayed nipple reconstruction with banked costal cartilage. Eight patients who underwent these reconstructions between 2008 and 2010 were reviewed. SSM was performed by vertical-type incision. We transferred the DIEP flap using an internal thoracic vessel and banked costal cartilage into an abdominal wound. Three to 6 months later, we removed the cartilage and cut it into a cylindrical shape. We fixed the cartilage on the dermal base of a modified C-V flap. No flap necrosis or exposure of cartilage was seen and the scar was acceptable in all cases. At a mean follow-up of 12.6 months, 59% of the nipple projection was maintained in comparison to immediately postoperatively. Our new concept is the combination of SSM, DIEP, and banked cartilage, and furthermore putting the cartilage on a dermal base. With support from the dermis, a large, complicated cartilage form is unnecessary.