Management of the Nipple-Areola Complex in Selected Patients Undergoing Primary Breast Reconstruction: A Comparison of Immediate Replantation and Delayed Reconstruction

Conclusions: Immediate nipple-areola complex replantation is a safe and reliable procedure for selected patients with contraindications for nipple-sparing mastectomy who have a strong desire to maintain their own nipple-areola complexes, or in bilateral cases. However, drawbacks of this procedure include loss of projection and depigmentation. Delayed reconstruction with nipple sharing and full-thickness skin grafting is a good alternative, especially in unilateral cases; it leads to better postoperative results and greater patient satisfaction, but it involves a nipple-areola complex-free period.
Source: Annals of Plastic Surgery - Category: Cosmetic Surgery Tags: Breast Surgery Source Type: research