title: The Marshall technique: an economic one-stage technique for nipple-areola reconstruction.
abstract: The goals of nipple-areola reconstruction are symmetry in position, shape, size, colour, tone, texture, sensation and responsiveness. These goals are best attempted when the breast-mound reconstruction has been completed. We describe a technique in which the skin of the neo-areola is raised as a split-thickness skin graft, and then re-grafted to the same site with a free nipple graft. This technique is always available, requires no special equipment, causes no donor-site morbidity and produces excellent results. The disadvantage is that it may be more difficult following radiotherapy or if the mastectomy scar traverses the desired site of nipple-areola reconstruction. As with any skin graft, the neo-areola may lose pigmentation, imperfectly 'take' or contract with time. This technique has not been previously described in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Skillman
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dheansa
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rowsell
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009558:Nipples / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps