J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  1997 May;24(3):621-626.

CORRECTION OF THE INVERTED NIPPLE

• Kim YS
• Han SK
• Lee BI
• Kim WK

Abstract

The inverted nipple presents both cosmetic and functional problems and may create psychological trauma in the patients and nutritional deficiency in the new born infants, Histopathologically it is characterized by less fibroconnective tissue beneath the nipple, shortened and fewer functional lactiferous duct, and short dense fibrous tissue beneath it. Many surgical and non-surgical methods have been designed and introduces for correction of the inverted nipple. We experienced 46 inverted nipples in 25 patients at Korea University Guro Hospital. For correction of nipple inversion we used purse-string suture method, Elsahy method, Pitanguy method, and author's method which modified D'Assumpcao technique. Including recurred cases, 44 nipples were operates by author's method, were follow-up for more than one year. Of these, postpartum breast feeding was possible in all evaluated 8 nipples. Undercorrection was identified in 4 nipples, but nipple projection was maintained to some degree. Author's method was effective for correction of the inverted nipple with preservation of lactiferous duct and lew recurrence rate.

MeSH Terms

Breast Feeding
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Infant
Korea
Malnutrition
Nipples*
Postpartum Period
Recurrence
Sutures