NIPPLE AND AREOLA RECONSTRUCTION
There are perhaps a hundred different ways to perform nipple reconstruction; each surgeon has their own favored methods that works well for them. The main goal is to recreate the small projection of the nipple with some of the surrounding tissue: most methods involve some type of small flap elevation on the breast to create this projection. Regardless of the method used for breast mound reconstruction, nipple reconstruction remains essentially the same.
As mentioned previously, each step of the reconstructive process is easier on the patient: by the time we are doing nipple/areola reconstruction, it is done under local in our clinic procedure room.
The biggest difficulty in nipple reconstruction is the tendency for the projection of the reconstructed nipple to fade over time. This is a universal problem with all of the different types of nipple reconstruction, and partially explains why there are so many different ways to accomplish this that are described. Because of this tendency, I always create the nipple larger and with more projection than we ultimately want: over the following months it will predictably shrink to the correct size. If (for some reason) the reconstructed nipple does not shrink enough, it is a simple enough matter to reduce it in size (which can be done at the same time as the areola tattoo placement). It is much simpler to reduce the projection than to attempt to try to make it bigger at a later stage.
After the nipple reconstruction has healed, and adequate time has passed to allow for the initial shrinkage, the final step in the reconstruction process is recreation of the areola, which is accomplished by tattooing the skin around the nipple. This is also performed under local anesthesia in the clinic procedure room.
This page describes the surgical process of nipple reconstruction. You may click on any of the images below for a larger view.
This bilateral mastectomy patient opted for breast reconstruction using tissue expansion and permanent breast implants.
The image on the left shows the patient with permanent implants in place; she is now ready for nipple/areola reconstruction. The first part of the procedure involves marking the nipple position.
The image on the right was taken approximately 10 days after nipple reconstruction.
To create the projection of the nipple, 2 flaps are designed (“double-opposing S flaps”). This image shows proposed flaps for nipple reconstruction.
The adjacent flaps are then be incised and raised up, and sutured to each other, creating projection to recreate the nipple. This procedure is done in the clinic procedure room, under local anesthesia. These two images show the result immediately after the procedure is completed.
Result of nipple reconstruction, prior to areaolar tattooing.
Several months after this procedure is done, the areola can be reconstructed by tattooing the area around the nipple. These two images show final result after tattooing.