title: Comparison of nipple projection with the modified double-opposing tab and star flaps.
abstract: This study compared nipple projection after nipple reconstruction (following breast mound reconstruction) with either the modified double-opposing tab flap or the star flap. Areolar reconstruction and pigmentation of the nipple were achieved with tattooing. Nipple projection for 153 nipples was measured at least 6 months after the reconstruction, when projection was believed to have become stable. Mean follow-up was 2.27 years. In the 106 nipples reconstructed with modified double-opposing tab flaps, the mean projection was 2.4292 mm, while in the 47 nipples reconstructed with star flaps, the mean projection was 1.9681 mm (p = 0.021). We conclude that although both methods are effective, the modified double-opposing tab flap has slightly more projection after approximately 2 years. It is not known, however, whether this is because of reduced flap atrophy or longer initial projection by the modified double-opposing tab flap; further studies are ongoing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kroll
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Reece
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Robb
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Schusterman
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D009558:Nipples / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*