What is nipple reconstruction? Nipple and areola loss may result from mastectomy due to trauma, burn or tumor, or from necrosis caused by blood circulation disorders or infection after surgery for inverted nipples or nipple lift. For transsexuals who have undergone male-to-female transformation surgery, there might be no nipples or areolas similar in size to those of females. In addition to breast reconstruction, nipple and areola reconstruction should also be performed.
The protrusion in the center of the breast is called the nipple, which varies in shape and size. According to the shape and degree of protrusion, nipples can be classified into different types. Most are cylindrical, with a basically consistent cylindrical shape from the base to the top of the nipple, and a relatively flat tip; or they are conical, gradually becoming finer from the base to the tip. The area around the base of the nipple on the breast skin, with a darker color, is called the areola. The diameter of the areola is mostly between 2.0-4.0 cm, and there is also a tendency to increase with age. The breast is an important condition for forming the curve beauty of the female trunk and is also the structural basis for the chest circumference in the complete human body beauty. Apart from the high-standing breasts, the luster, erectness, cylindrical shape of the nipples, and clear areolas are also extremely important structural foundations. Nipple and areola reconstruction aims to achieve aesthetic appearance, so it requires consistency with the healthy side as much as possible in terms of position, size, shape, and protrusion.
If you want to get more information about nipple reconstruction, please click here to chat and consult with online doctors. Before and after comparison pictures of nipple reconstruction: before nipple reconstruction, after nipple reconstruction, before nipple reconstruction, after nipple reconstruction. Reconstruction methods for nipples and areolas:
● If one side of the nipple and areola is missing while the other healthy side's nipple and areola are intact and relatively large, half of it can be cut, pulled together, and sutured to rebuild the healthy side's nipple and areola and reconstruct the missing side's nipple and areola.
● When both sides of the nipples and areolas are missing, the labia minora or toe abdomen can be transplanted to reconstruct the nipple; alternatively, the earlobe, auricle skin with cartilage transplantation can be used to reconstruct the nipple. Using tattooing method, needles dipped in brown dye are inserted into the skin of the areola to form a similar areola, matching the color of the healthy side's nipple and areola; or thigh inner side skin grafts can be transplanted onto the areola area, combined with ultraviolet light exposure, which can further darken the skin graft for better results; the skin of the labia minora can also be transplanted onto the areola area; ear posterior skin transplantation can also be used for the areola.
● Flap method can also be used to reconstruct the nipple and areola. This method provides a larger amount of tissue, has good blood supply, and better sensory recovery. The nipple can maintain a certain height and appears more erect. Additionally, there are methods such as filling with dermal scar tissue or tissue substitutes to increase the protrusion of the nipple.
If you need nipple reconstruction, you can click here to chat and consult with online doctors.