Magnetic attachments and taping method for nipple-areolar prostheses retention: development of a method and case series

We report a method that uses magnetic attachments and taping (MAT) to fix nipple-areolar prostheses. A silicone nipple-areolar prostheses and skin attachment units were embedded with magnets; the latter was fixed to the skin using surgical paper tape. We attached the prostheses to our own forearms to compare the MAT method and the conventional silicone adhesive method in terms of attachment time tensile and retention strength (tensile and shear strength). We also requested patients without a nipple-areolar complex to try the MAT method and assessed their levels of satisfaction. The MAT and conventional methods were tested for tensile and shear strength ten times each. The MAT method took a significantly shorter length of time to attach the prostheses compared with the conventional method. The MAT method resulted in a significantly stronger tensile strength compared to the conventional method, while the conventional method tended to be stronger in terms of shear strength. Four patients tried the MAT and reported higher levels of satisfaction for the former method than with the latter, although the level of satisfaction varied widely from one patient to another. The MAT method was found to be simpler to use and provides better retention strength compared with the conventional method. The findings suggest that the MAT method could potentially be a viable option to fix nipple-areolar prostheses.Level of evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic

Source: European Journal of Plastic Surgery - January 5, 2023 Category: Cosmetic Surgery Source Type: research