Nipple-areola reconstruction; principle methods, benefits and our clinical experience

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Reconstruction of the lost breasts have emotional benefits for a traumatized woman. Enhancement of body image, facilitation of wardrobe flexibility, less preoccupation with a life-threatening disease, improvement of.sexuel responsivity and elevation of depressive mood are some of these benefits. Adding nippie-areola complex to a reconstructed breast mound positively enhance satisfaction especially with nude appearence. Banking, coloring and grafting are the principle methods of areola reconstruction. For nipple reconstruction grafting, local flaps and prosthetic materials are the choices of the surgeon. In this paper we stated principle methods of nipple areola reconstruction, benefits of the patients and our clinical experiences. ■ STUDY DESIGN: During last 5 years 40 breast reconstructions were performed in our clinic. Eighteen patients were mastectomized for breast cancer and others were burn patients. Five of the cancer patients and all of the burn patients had nippie-areola reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Nippie-areola addition appears to change the patient's sensory and visual perception of the entire breast reconstruction outcome. After nippie-areola reconstruction women feel themselves close to their preoperative state and have an enhanced feeling of "femininity and sexual desirability". After a traumatic process, and nippie-areola reconstruction improves the mood of the patients easily and supports the patient for the rest of her life. (Gynecol Obstet Reprod Med 1997; 3:383-387)