Reconstruction of the Areola-Nipple Complex after Mastectomy

Abstract

Introduction: The creation of the Areola-Nipple complex is the last time of breast reconstruction, transforming the breast mound into a real breast. Objective: Show the results, advantages and disadvantages of different techniques applied in the reconstruction of the Areola-Nipple Complex. Material and methods: A retrospective descriptive study of 70 patients with oncological deformities of the breast at Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital from January 2008 to December 2018 was carried out. Results: 18 patients were created the nipple by local flaps method, 44 were grafted and 8 without reconstruction since it was not desired, and others had no projection of the healthy nipple. Of these 53 were tattooed, 15 grafted with contralateral areola and 2 without reconstruction. There were no complications in the contralateral nipple graft, but with the other method 100% suffered flattening with regular results. Of the 53 tattooed patients, good results predominated and only 16 had slight pigmentation disorders. Conclusions: The reconstruction of the Areola-Nipple Complex after ablative surgery of the breast transforms the breast of more natural aspect and the ideal methods are the contralateral nipple graft and the intradermal tattoo.