Nipple reconstruction: technical aspects and evolution in 14 patients.
BACKGROUND
During breast reconstruction after mastectomy, the long-term deterioration of the projection of neonipples led the authors to modify Thomas's technique in its design and use.


METHODS
The results were evaluated after at least 10 months, in 14 patients, by comparative measurement of diameters and projection of the neonipple and contralateral nipple.


RESULTS
In two cases, the authors had a 3-mm loss of height; in six cases, the authors had a variation of 1 mm compared with the referent nipple; and the heights appeared identical in the six other cases. The height variation was thus lower or equal to 1 mm compared with the contralateral nipple in 80 percent of cases. There was no or little diameter variation of approximately 1 mm in 12 cases (85.7 percent).


CONCLUSIONS
This technique allows rebuilding of a nipple that remains identical to the contralateral nipple over the long run.
Lebeau
Jaques
J
Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Grenoble, Grenoble, France.
Lopes
Thucydides Rodrigues
TR
Gallodoro
Antonella
A
Raphael
Bernard
B
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D009558:Nipples / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques