Simultaneous nipple and areola reconstruction: a review of 50 cases

Nipple areola complex reconstruction has historically been a staged procedure, the nipple being reconstructed first by graft or local flap techniques and the areola on a later procedure to gain colour. This paper presents a one-stage combined reconstruction procedure using a local flap and immediate areola tattoo: it presents the advantage of reducing the total number of needed procedures and subsequently diminishes the total time needed to obtain a complete result. In this series of 50 consecutive combined procedures with a mean follow-up of ten months, no necrosis of reconstructed nipple was observed and a total of six patients needed minor revision surgery to correct nipple projection or fading of the tattoo. No local infection or wound complications were observed, underlying the safety of the procedure. Patient satisfaction and compliance were good because the procedure is fast and easy with minimal morbidity.