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Long-term experience with nipple-areola tattooing
1Division of Plastic Surgery, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Nipple-areola tattooing is a safe and effective breast reconstruction step for most patients. However, long-term results show many tattoos fade, often requiring touch-ups for optimal color match.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Dermatology
- Oncology
Background:
- Nipple-areola tattooing is a common procedure following breast reconstruction.
- Long-term effectiveness and patient satisfaction data are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of nipple-areola tattooing.
- To assess patient satisfaction and complication rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 151 patients undergoing nipple-areola tattooing.
- Patient surveys on color match, satisfaction, and complications.
- Follow-up ranging from 1 to 75 months.
Main Results:
- 57% reported good color match; 10% needed touch-ups for fading.
- 84% rated tattoos as satisfactory; 86% would repeat the procedure.
- Low complication rate: 3% infections, 1% rash, 1% slough.
Conclusions:
- Nipple-areola tattooing with iron oxide/titanium dioxide pigments is generally safe and effective.
- Long-term color stability can be an issue, often necessitating touch-ups.
- High patient satisfaction suggests the procedure's value in breast reconstruction.