July 16, 2020
What are the benefits of nipple reconstruction following breast cancer surgery?
A study published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery shows women who chose nipple reconstruction after breast cancer surgery have improved psychosocial and sexual well-being.
Breast cancer patients who are not candidates for, or chose not to undergo nipple-sparing mastectomy have the option to reconstruct a nipple as part of their breast reconstruction journey. Nipple reconstruction is typically performed during the second stage (or revision stage) of breast reconstruction. It can also be performed as a standalone procedure in the office setting.
At PRMA Plastic Surgery we use the bow-tie method represented in the graphic below.
The study was conducted to evaluate how nipple reconstruction impacted a patients’ psychosocial and sexual well-being. All women who underwent the procedure at Magee-Women’s Hospital over an eight-year period were provided a questionnaire to measure their satisfaction and health related quality of life before and after their nipple reconstruction surgery.
107 women submitted the survey and after reviewing the results the study indicated that patients were satisfied after their nipple reconstruction and the procedure contributed significantly to their psychosocial and sexual well-being.
Author: Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo and Courtney Floyd
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery examined the abdominal recovery rates and patient satisfaction after breast reconstruction with different abdominal flaps: the DIEP, SIEA and muscle-sparing free TRAM.
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