Nipple-areola Complex Malposition Research Articles

Surgical Techniques to Prevent Nipple-Areola Complex Malposition in Two-Stage Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.

Background Appropriate position of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) is crucial following nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM). The prevention of NAC malposition in two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction has not been well described, and the efficacy of the techniques has not been evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of our technique to prevent NAC malposition in patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction after NSM. Methods Patients who underwent two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction with NSM between January 2012 and December 2019 were included. We used a surgical technique to fix the NAC to the rigid base, assuming a pocket-like appearance, with pectoralis major muscle and lateral adipofascial flap at the time of tissue expander (TE) insertion. Patients were classified into two groups based on the performance of the technique for the prevention of NAC malposition. Results In 35 patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction after NSM, the clavicle-to-nipple distance ratio was 96.0 ± 5.0% in those who underwent NAC fixation and 86.1 ± 11.5% in those who did not undergo NAC fixation. Conclusions Using our technique, NAC malposition could be prevented in two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction. NAC fixation during TE insertion was found to be extremely effective. This procedure successfully prevented NAC malposition without the formation of extra scars.

Application of periareolar mastopexy technique for giant phyllodes tumor resection in an adolescent female with breast asymmetry: a case report and literature review

BackgroundThe phyllodes tumors are rare neoplastic disease which exhibits a benign behavior in adolescents female. After resection of a large benign breast tumor, insufficient breast contour may result with nipple areola complex malposition. As symmetry of the breast is psychologically extremely crucial, especially in adolescents, in such cases, an immediate mammoplasty-like breast reduction or mastopexy technique of the affected breast will be necessary to provide symmetry of the bilateral breasts at the initial surgery.Case presentationA 16-year-old woman reported rapid enlargement of a large mass in her left breast over 12 months. The physical examination revealed a huge mass that occupied the lower quadrants of her left breast causing expansion of both the overlying skin and the nipple areolar complex. A biopsy was constant with a benign phyllodes tumor. We have applied a periareolar mastopexy technique to allow tumor resection through exposure incision at the lower half of the outer periareolar circular incision. At the same time, we reduced the expanded skin envelope and mobilized the nipple–areola complex to restore breast symmetry.ConclusionThe periareolar mastopexy approach provides a wide surgical exposure, allows excision of benign giant breast tumor, and simultaneous restoration of the breast shape with favorable aesthetic results and minimal postoperative scarring.

Quantitative assessment and risk factors for nipple-areolar complex malposition after nipple-sparing mastectomy.

Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) for breast cancer preserves the nipple-areola complex (NAC) and has limited the extent of the scar, giving good cosmetic results. However, NAC malposition may occur. The aim of this study is to evaluate NAC malposition after NSM and to determine factors associated with malposition in two-stage reconstruction. The subjects were 46 patients who underwent unilateral NSM, without contralateral mastopexy or reduction surgery, in two-stage reconstruction using an expander with implant or flap replacement. Vertical and horizontal NAC malposition and predictors of malposition were evaluated before and more than 1year after reconstruction surgery. The total amount of saline injected into the expander and aging were significant predictors of increased superior malposition of NAC before and more than 1year after reconstruction or implant surgery. In contrast, the amount of saline injected into the expander until 2weeks after expander insertion was a significant predictor of decreased superior NAC malposition. BMI was also a statistically significant predictor of decreased superior NAC malposition, but this result was likely to have been due to the measurement method. Autologous reconstruction was a significant negative predictor of superior malposition at more than 1year after surgery. Superior NAC malposition resulting from full expansion of the expander improved by a mean vertical angle of 4.5° after autologous reconstruction, but hardly improved after implant use. In autologous reconstruction, NAC tended to move slightly to the lateral side after autologous reconstruction, compared to implant use. Until 2weeks after expander insertion, as much saline as possible should be injected to prevent superior NAC malposition. At full expansion, superior malposition of vertical angle > 4.5° may require repositioning surgery.

Nipple-Areola Complex Malposition in Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: A Review of Risk Factors and Corrective Techniques from Greater than 1000 Reconstructions.

Nipple-areola complex malposition after nipple-sparing mastectomy can be a challenging issue to correct. The current literature is largely limited to smaller series and implant-based reconstructions. A retrospective review of all nipple-sparing mastectomies from 2006 to 2016 at a single institution was performed. Incidence, risk factors, and corrective techniques of nipple-areola complex malposition were analyzed. One thousand thirty-seven cases of nipple-sparing mastectomy were identified, of which 77 (7.4 percent) underwent nipple-areola complex repositioning. All were performed in a delayed fashion. The most common techniques included crescentic periareolar excision [n = 25 (32.5 percent)] and directional skin excision [n = 10 (13.0 percent)]. Cases requiring nipple-areola complex repositioning were significantly more likely to have preoperative radiation therapy (p = 0.0008), a vertical or Wise pattern incision (p = 0.0157), autologous reconstruction (p = 0.0219), and minor mastectomy flap necrosis (p = 0.0462). Previous radiation therapy (OR, 3.6827; p = 0.0028), vertical radial mastectomy incisions (OR, 1.8218; p = 0.0202), and autologous reconstruction (OR, 1.77; p = 0.0053) were positive independent predictors of nipple-areola complex repositioning, whereas implant-based reconstruction (OR, 0.5552; p < 0.0001) was a negative independent predictor of repositioning. Body mass index (p = 0.7104) and adjuvant radiation therapy (p = 0.9536), among other variables, were not predictors of nipple-areola complex repositioning. Nipple-areola complex malposition after nipple-sparing mastectomy can be successfully corrected with various techniques. Previous radiation therapy, vertical mastectomy incisions, and autologous reconstruction are independently predictive of nipple-areola complex malposition. Therapeutic, III.

Surgical Treatment of Nipple Malposition in Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy Device-Based Reconstruction

This article discusses the senior author's (M.T.) experience with nipple-areola complex malposition following nipple-sparing mastectomy, surgical options for treatment, and an analysis of risk factors. A retrospective review was conducted on a prospectively collected institutional review board-approved database of nipple-sparing mastectomy cases with immediate device-based reconstruction performed between July of 2006 and October of 2012. Malposition was graded as mild (1 cm), moderate (2 cm), or severe (>3 cm) displacement. Three hundred nineteen nipple-sparing mastectomies were reviewed. Malposition occurred in 44 (13.79 percent). Significant factors were age (p < 0.0001), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.0025), body mass index (p = 0.0093), preoperative sternal notch-to-nipple distance (p = 0.015), preoperative breast base width (p = 0.0001), periareolar mastectomy incision with lateral extension (p < 0.0001), prior radiation (p = 0.0004), prior lumpectomy (p = 0.0125), unilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy (p = 0.0004), and postoperative nipple-areola complex ischemia (p = 0.0174). Smoking status, breast volume resected, implant size, ablative surgeon, acellular dermal matrix, and single-stage reconstruction were not significant. Nineteen patients were satisfied. Eight were not offered surgical correction because of an inadequate skin envelope. Eight had crescent mastopexy, three had implant exchange and pocket revision, four had free nipple grafts, and two had pedicled nipple transposition. There were no incidences of necrosis or malposition after surgical correction. Nipple-sparing mastectomy followed by immediate device-based reconstruction has a risk of nipple malposition. Various surgical procedures are available to correct nipple malposition based on clinical presentation and are safe in certain populations. Risk, III.

Huge myoid hamartoma of the breast treated with reduction mammaplasty: report of a case

Breast hamartoma is an uncommon benign tumor characterized by the variety of component tissues. Adipose tissue, mammary glands, and fibrous tissue in various proportions are the main components and form a well-circumscribed mass. Myoid (muscular) hamartoma is an extremely rare subtype of breast hamartoma, which contains an additional smooth muscle component. Inadequate breast contour and nipple-areola complex malposition and expansion can occur after resection of a large myoid hamartoma. Immediate mammaplasty for the affected breast, using the dermoglandular flap technique, is required to provide symmetry of the bilateral breasts. We report a case of myoid hamartoma that was larger than ever documented before. An acceptable aesthetic result was achieved by resection and application of reduction mammaplasty in a single-stage operation.

Relocating the nipple areola complex as a composite graft

Achieving a good shape of the breast is not sufficient to complete a reconstruction. The presence and correct positioning of a nipple areola complex (NAC) is important for a good esthetic result. This is demonstrated by the unsatisfactory result in cases of NAC malposition. Two cases are presented in which revision was performed by transferring the NAC as a composite graft. This approach achieved improvement in the esthetic result and the patient satisfaction. Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.

Vertical Mammaplasty

Current criticisms regarding vertical mammaplasty include problems with poor immediate postoperative appearance, nipple-areola complex malposition, and excessive lower pole length. These problems can be avoided by proper patient selection, by utilizing correct concepts of skin design, and by observing correct glandular resection and closure concepts. Vertical mammaplasty also can result in other problems, such as hypertrophic circumareolar scars and lower pole deformities, including notching, boxy shape, infra-areolar depression, and flatness. These problems are also largely avoidable by using correct technique. Several basic concepts described previously have not proven necessary to achieve good results. Abandoning some of these principles has contributed to the ability to establish an aesthetically ideal breast shape intraoperatively as well as to a decrease in morbidity. This includes eliminating liposuction as a major integral component of the procedure, eliminating suturing the gland to the pectoralis muscle, not undermining the lower pole skin, and avoiding overly wide skin resection and tight wound closure that produces significant lower pole distortion in the early postoperative period. An important concept that has proven reliable is to use a "closed" design that does not predetermine the areolar opening whenever circumstances permit. When this is not possible, a modification that utilizes the smallest possible circumference as an open design is better than a large "mosque." These alternatives allow greater flexibility in determining final nipple position and also reduce the risk of hypertrophic circumareolar scars. Important glandular resection concepts include creating pillars that are attached to both the skin and the chest wall; making them of adequate dimension to avoid postoperative lower pole shape problems, such as flattening; resecting closer to the skin lateral to the pillars to avoid a boxy breast shape; and using a drain both to assist in accurately determining the endpoint of resection and to avoid postoperative seromas. Key closure concepts include approximation of the superior surfaces of the pillars at their base to maintain vertical height and thereby prevent lower pole flattening; approximation of the inferior surfaces of the pillars to the base of the breast to prevent notching; and proper management of the vertical incision by restricting the purse-string suture effect to only the inferior portion of the incision, where there may be skin excess present. Inclusion of these concepts leads to predictable and improved aesthetic results in vertical mammaplasty. This allows full realization of the purported advantages of vertical mammaplasty and allows this method to be utilized with a level of confidence similar to that seen with inverted-T techniques.