title: Free nipple graft technique to correct nipple and areola malposition after breast procedures.
abstract: Secondary correction of nipple areola complex (NAC) malposition represents a major concern after breast reconstructive procedures. It is frequently requested by patients complaining about asymmetric areolas impairing the whole reconstructive procedure and asking for improved cosmetic outcomes. Several methods have been described to achieve a good symmetry between the 2 areolas, either natural or reconstructed. We describe our correction technique with free NAC graft. A total of 16 patients were treated with free NAC grafts between April 2010 and April 2013 at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. This series focused on the surgical technique and its postoperative outcomes. Three cases of partial graft loss (18%) were observed in the postoperative period. No total NAC necrosis occurred. No infection was observed. All the complications were managed with a conservative treatment, not requiring any further surgery. NAC malposition following breast reconstructive procedures can be corrected using the technique of free NAC graft with reliable and satisfactory results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rietjens
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Lorenzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Manconi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andrea
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Prakasit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chirappapha
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martella
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gottardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Lomeo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giuseppe
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Alaa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamza
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jean-Yves
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Petit
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Visnu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lohsiriwat