Mammaplasty in patients with large areola: Reducing the nipple-areola complex using intra-areolar incisions

• Published in: Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery reconstructive & aesthetic surgery, 2018-02, Vol.71 (2), p.267-269
• Main Authors: Kruit, Anne Sophie, van Doesburg, Margriet H.M., Ruhé, P.Q., de With, Miriam C.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1748-6815; 1878-0539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2017.10.013

Minimal incision breast reduction techniques resulting in periareolar scars are widely used. However, this technique is less suitable for patients with large areola diameters and relatively small breasts, requiring a modest reduction or lift only. As a result of the large nipple-areola complex larger amounts of skin must be removed in order to resect the complete peripheral areola, increasing the risk of high-riding nipples, breast flattening and incomplete areola resection resulting in a rest on the vertical scar. This report describes a modified technique offering a solution to these problems. In this technique intra-areolar incisions are used to reduce areola size without resecting large volumes of breast tissue and skin. Complete peripheral areolar resection is always possible and high-riding nipples are avoided.