ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the treatment of inverted nipple by continual extension with S tractors made of Kirschner wires on the base of preliminary clinical obervation.Methods Under local anesthesia,with the inverted nipples being dragged out by a presutured thread or a pair of towel clips,a Kirschner wire of 10 cm long and 0.5-1.0 mm in diameter was transversly penetrated through the base of inverted nipple.Then the Kirschner wire was bended at both points of 1.5 cm distantly from the nipple center in clockwise cemicircularly.Two cemicircular Kirschner wires were folded downward hingelikely and the center axis was supported by two cemicircles.This folded S tractor pushed and supported the inverted nipple forwardly and constantly.The hinge angle was adjusted during the treatment according to the traction requirment.It was nessessary for wearing these S tractors for at least 6 months before the Kirschner wires were being taken out.During referrals,the hinge angle was revised for mentaining the extension efforts.Results We treated 32 cases of inverted nipple,total 58 moderate and severe lesions,with this method effectively.No infection was observed during the treatment.The nipple form was naturally and stably outstanding after Kirschner wires taken out.No relapses were observed during a mean 6 monthe following up.Conclusions This procedure is simple and convenient without the need of complicated surgical procedures or perplexed equipments.The nipple shaps are observed natural and stable after Kirschner wire is removed.No recurrences are observed.There are no damages to breastfeeding function.The obvious drawback of this method is its reqairing of long continuously wearing and its inconvenience.