Nipple Surgery

Every woman's and man's nipples are different. Nipple surgery can correct certain anatomical variations, but many of these are just variations of normal. 

Inverted Nipple Correction

Inverted nipples, or nipple inversion, occur in about 2% of women. Inverted nipples are usually evident as a slit or hole in the breast at the location of the nipple and may be present on one or both sides. Inverted nipples are usually a congenital problem but may be related to scarring from breast-feeding or infection in the ducts, or a previous breast surgery. Nipple inversion can cause functional problems such as irritation, rash and discomfort and may prevent the ability to breast-feed.

Correction is sought most often because it is a cosmetically undesirable condition and women simply do not like the way it looks and want it improved. Although rarely seen by others, women often feel self-conscious about inverted nipples.

The objective is to evert the nipple so that it projects out from the breast, enhancing the appearance of the breast while preserving sensitivity of the nipple. The technique that leaves the milk ducts intact can also help preserve a woman's ability to breastfeed.

Milk Ducts Intact

An incision will be made just around the base of the nipple on the areola. The nipple and areola tissue is lifted from (but still connected to) the breast and stitched into a new, projecting shape utilising a purse-string style of suturing (stitches). Because of the circular shape of the scar around the nipple, scar contracture will actually increase rather than decrease nipple projection. Because the milk duct tethering is often the cause of inverted nipples, this method has a significantly higher recurrence and relapse rate, hence it is rarely performed through our clinic. 

Milk Ducts Divided

This procedure is much more common. An incision is made at the nipple base, and the shortened milk ducts are detached, allowing a natural-looking eversion of the nipple. The incision is sutured closed and external sutures are used to hold the nipple out. Medicated gauze is then applied to the site.

Recovery is very rapid with a return to work and most activities within hours. Showers are permitted after 1 week. The incision suture will be removed in around 7 days but the eversion sutures usually stay for around 4 weeks. There is minimal pain or swelling. Sensation is normal immediately or returns fully within several days. You will be required to wear a foamy protective dressing for a minimum of 6 weeks to minimise recurrence or flattening or your newly everted nipples.

 

Nipple Reconstruction

Nipple reconstruction can be performed in two main methods:

  1. The two-staged reconstruction where firstly, a nubbin is made on the reconstructed breast mound, then the area is tattooed to recreate the areola.
  2. Nipple-sharing technique, where the opposite areolar and nipple is used as a graft to create a nipple on the reconstruction side. This often requires a large nipple-areola complex on the normal side. It also has the disadvantage of creating scars on the donor breast.
  3. 3D tattooing - where artfully shaded tattoo can create an illusion of a projected nipple. Surgery is not required for this, and if preferred, we are able to recommend suitable medical tattooists. 

Nipple reconstruction is a procedure that can be performed as early as 3 months after breast reconstruction. Not everyone who has had a breast reconstruction chooses to have nipple reconstruction. The decision to have a nipple made is very much a personal choice. For those who are unsure, stick-on nipples can be bought and trialed to figure out whether it is something that helps with confidence after breast reconstruction.

Surgical nipple reconstruction can be performed either under a general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic with intravenous sedation as a day-surgery admission. In the first option, the nubbin for the nipple is made with skin flaps raised from the local tissues, and wrapped and sutured to create height and projection. This is then dressed with gauze, protective foam and tape. Sutures are removed at two weeks. You will be required to continue to wear the protective foam for 6 weeks to prevent flattening of the nubbins by clothing and pressure. At the six- week review, if the wound has healed and scars have softened, you will be referred to a medical tattooist to recreate the colour for the new areola and match the appearance of your natural areola.

The cost of nipple reconstruction is covered by most private health insurance. However, medical tattooing of the areola is not, although some medicare rebate may be claimable.

The result of nipple reconstruction is long lasting. There is always at least 30% reduction in the nipple height and projection when swelling subsides at 6 weeks. Once created, a reconstructed nipple often signifies the end of many women's reconstructive journey and allows some breast cancer women to relinquish their sense of loss.

 

Consults at

Everton Park

Suite J, Lower Level
North West Private Hospital
137 Flockton Street
Everton Park QLD 4053

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Sunnybank

Australis Specialist Centre
Suite 1, 679 Beenleigh Road
Sunnybank QLD 4109

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Contact details

Post - PO Box 5301 Stafford Heights QLD 4053