Triangular flaps and fascia-tissue flaps rotation for correction of severe inverted nipple in shallow and deep areola of breast / 中华医学美学美容杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore a new methodology for surgical treatment of severe retracted nipple in women. Methods 20 patients with inverted nipple and 4 recurred patients were involved in this study. Firstly, the site of neonipple tip was marked in the central part of the inverted nipple and its mean diameter usually was 1.2-1.5 cm. Then two shallow and deep triangular pedicled flaps were designed, respectively, in both superior and inferior areas near areola. With temporary traction of the nipple apex provided by a stay suture, the fibrotie bands underneath the nipple base might be cautious-ly released. Moreover, the shallow skin flaps should be about 0.5 cm in thickness and their blood sup-ply was from the subdermal arterial rete of the areola, which were used to cover and reconstruct the neck area of neonipple after a clockwise rotation and advancement simultaneously. While the deep fas-cia tissue flaps were revolved and advanced either horizontally to the opposite pedicle or upward to the inner tip through the tunnel underneath the nipple base in order to improve the height or width of the neonipple neck and prevent flattening as the supporting tissue and their blood supply was from some small perforating branch arteries in the deep part of mammary gland. Finally, purse-string suture was necessary in the base of neonipple which played a key role in avoiding recurrence of nipple inversion. Four vertical diamond-shaped excision-suturation treatment in neck area could make improvemts on the height of those stout and short nipples. Results In all 24 cases corrected by shallow and deep triangu-lar flaps rotation, after 3-6 months' follow-up, there were no complications related to surgery such as infection, hematoma, permanent sensory disturbance, or nipple necrosis, and postoperative recovery was rapid and uneventful. Especially, follow-up data revealed no evidence of recurrence of inversion and all patients were satisfied with their results. Conclusions Triangular flaps and fascia-tissue flaps in shallow and deep areola rotation is effective and easy to be popularized in correction of inverted nip-ple. This technique can improve both the diameter and height of the nipple, and certainly lower the re-currence rate of nipple inversion and achieve good aesthetic results.