Surgical Nipple Correction
What is it?
  • Abnormalities of the nipple or tissue underlying it are very common and relatively straight forward to treat.
  • The most common condition is nipple inversion.
  • In this condition the nipple instead of protruding is held inside the breast.
  • This is caused by shortening of the ducts which come from the glandular tissue within the breast to emerge on the nipple.
  • Nipple inversion can cause significant embarrassment and can occur on one or both sides.
  • Some patients find it difficult wearing clothes particularly thin tops or swimwear as the inversion can be visible.

Nipple inversion is classified into the following three groups:

        
Grade 1:
    • The nipple can be everted and look normal.
    • After a variable period of time if reverts to its inverted position.

Grade 2:

    • The nipple can be everted and look normal if drawn out.
    • However it immediately inverts when released.
    • Some people with Grade 1 and 2 nipple inversion find the Nipplette device useful
    • This works by suction and gently pulls the nipple out to an inverted position.
    • If suction is applied regularly the tight ducts leading to the nipple stretch allowing it to sit in a normal everted position.
    • Generally it is best to try the Nipplette first as if offers a simple low cost solution
    • For some people this solution does not work effectively and the inversion needs to be corrected with an operation.
Grade 3:
      • These nipples are so tethered to the underlying breast tissue that they can not be everted.
      • Correction of inverted nipples with surgery is surprisingly quick and simple.
      • The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and takes approximately 15 minutes per side.
      • There is some mild discomfort associated with the injection of anaesthetic which last for about 10 seconds- after this the procedure is painless.
      • The discomfort from the injection can be minimised by the application of an anaesthetic cream before the operation which numbs the area.

    What's Involved?
    • In the operation a small incision is made in the lower outer border of the nipple.
    • Depending on the grade of inversion the ducts leading to the nipple are then either gently stretched or divided.
    • If the ducts are stretched they remain intact and breast feeding is usually possible following the operation.
    • Once released the nipple is held in and everted position with an absorbable stitch.
    • This is placed internally and is naturally melted away by the body following the operation.
    • Following the procedure most people experience mild discomfort with most returning to work within 1-2 days.
    • The dressings are removed 5-7 days following the procedure and patients are encouraged to wear a soft padded bra for a further 2 weeks.
    • Once corrected the nipples are very unlikely to become inverted again and can be treated normally.


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    Click here for article on abnormalities of the nipple

     
     
    Before nipple correction
    Before Nipple Correction
    After nipple correction
    After Nipple Correction

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