Nipple Shield Made from a Thermoplastic with Aluminum Properties.

Abstract

Here, we report the preparation of a nipple shield from an inexpensive and re-formable thermoplastic with metallic properties as well as its favorable outcomes when used for patients who had undergone nipple reconstruction. The nipple shield was prepared from a material made of a mixture of a thermoplastic resin and special aluminum pellets (aluminum content, 70%). Each patient wore the nipple shield for 3 months after nipple reconstruction. The material was re-softened for re-forming into an adequate shape as required during this 3-month period. All reconstructed nipples were securely protected, with no complications (eg, ulceration, wound dehiscence, and wound infections) during the 3-month period. Also, there were no skin complications such as contact dermatitis or cellulitis in the area where the nipple shield was in contact with the skin. None of the patients stopped using the nipple shield because it came off frequently, or was uncomfortable or painful to wear, and there were no cases in which the nipple shield had to be remade due to damage. The thermoplastic material used in this study appeared to be extremely useful as a nipple protection material because of its good breathability, attributed to its nonwoven form, its low thermal conductivity and resulting cooling effect attributed to its aluminum content, its suitability for rapid re-forming, and its washability.