Anatomy and preservation of the nipple-areola complex / 国际外科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Preserving nipple-areola complex (NAC) in breast-conserving surgery and nipple-areola complex-sparing mastectomy (NSM) can achieve good tumor safety and breast aesthetics under the premise of appropriate case selection. However, there are still many doubts about the local anatomy of the nipple and NAC and how to preserve the NAC and reshape the shape of the nipple on the basis of selecting cases to achieve individualized treatment and complete tumor resection. In this paper, the NAC, internal nipple and posterior nipple anatomy are described in detail; Combined with the operation of NAC during NSM operation, the treatment of breast duct bundle inside the nipple and behind the nipple were introduced with author′s experience and pictures. The pathologic evaluation of preserving NAC, NAC conservation in breast cancer patients with nipple discharge and radiotherapy after NAC conservation were discussed. In fact, the current situation in our country is that too many patients may be suitable for immediate breast reconstruction or delayed breast reconstruction after NSM. It is very important to be familiar with the local anatomical characteristics of nipples and NAC for standardized breast conserving surgery and NSM. Therefore, more patients with breast cancer can safely retain NAC and breast, and breast reconstruction can be further accomplished on the basis of preserving NAC.