Measurement of breast areola/nipple proportion in Chinese women and analysis of correlation factors / 中华医学美学美容杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To provide an additional reference and value for the surgeon to reconstruct the natural and aesthetic breast. Methods Measurements were made in a group of 45 women volunteers aged from 22 to 45 years, who were satisfied with their breasts without any history of breast surgery. After the lateral arch of the breast as the reference value for breast size being chosen, breast-areola to nipple ratio was determined according to parameters measured as follows weight, height, diameter of the breast, areola, and nipple, distances between the nipple and borders of the breast-superior (to the suprasternal notch), medial arch (to the medial end of the inframammary crease), lateral arch (to the lateral end of the inframammary crease), inferior arch (to the lowest point of the inframammary crease). Correlation factors such as age, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) which may influence the proportion were also considered and analyzed. Results The sample showed that the breast- areola and areola-nipple proportions were about 3.71.0 and 3.41.0 respectively in the Chinese women population. Weight/BMI had a significant positive correlation with the breast size and areola-nipple proportion, nor did age and height in the sample. Conclusions Breast and areola-nipple complex keeps their optimal proportions, which might be influenced by the factor of overweight. Determination of breast-areola-nipple proportion contributes its aesthetic value to the mammaplasty and reconstruction for the oriental female. The proportion could be used to predict and design the desired breast size during the operation.