Correction of inverted nipple: an alternative method using continuous elastic outside distraction.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Aesthetic Medicine

Background:

• Inverted nipples cause functional (nursing difficulties) and cosmetic issues, leading to irritation and psychological distress.
• Existing correction methods often involve extensive incisions, risking blood supply, nerve damage, and scarring.
• A need exists for simpler, less invasive, and aesthetically pleasing correction techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel, simple method for correcting inverted nipples using continuous elastic outside distraction.
• To assess the safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction of this new technique.
• To determine the applicability of this method across different grades of nipple inversion.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 14 patients (26 nipples) with congenital inverted nipples (Grades I-III) were treated between August 2002 and December 2003.
• A custom-designed adjustable elastic instrument (steel wire, spring, plastic syringe) was used for continuous distraction over 3-6 months.
• Follow-up examinations were conducted for an average of 7.3 months to assess outcomes and complications.

Main Results:

• No recurrence of nipple inversion was observed during the follow-up period.
• No complications such as infection, hematoma, sensory disturbance, or nipple necrosis occurred.
• All treated patients reported high satisfaction with the cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The continuous elastic outside distraction method is a reliable, simple, safe, and effective approach for correcting inverted nipples.
• This technique is suitable for all types of inverted nipples and can be used as a primary surgical procedure.
• Long-term follow-up data is recommended to further validate the durability of the results.