Intravenous fluorescein for evaluating the dusky nipple-areola during reduction mammaplasty

The intravenous fluorescein test is a useful, safe adjunct in assessing the breast skin, as well as the nipple-areola complex, in reduction mammaplasties. If all the tissue fluoresces, one can safely assume that the area will go on to remain viable. If the nipple-areola does not fluoresce, the breast should be reexplored. Anything that subsequently fluoresces generally remains viable. If the nipple-areola remains nonfluorescent, then it should be converted to a full-thickness graft.