Related Experiment Videos
C-Y Trilobed Flap for Improved Nipple-Areola Complex Reconstruction
Daniel R Butz1, Eun Key Kim, David H Song
1Chicago, Ill.; and Seoul, Republic of Korea From the Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine; and the Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine.
Abstract:
Nipple-areola complex reconstruction has been shown to improve breast reconstruction patients' overall satisfaction. Trilobed flap variations are some of the more commonly used flaps for nipple-areola complex reconstruction. The donor-site scar frequently extends outside the width of an ideal areolar tattoo diameter. There have been many modifications to the original flap design, but none of them addresses the length of the donor-site scar. The technique described uses a triangular stitch in the donor site to limit the length of the scar. This also creates tiny dog-ears within the future areola zone that give a natural wrinkled appearance when tattooed.