Changes in Patient Reported Nipple Sensation after Superomedial Pedicle Reduction Mammaplasty in the Early Postoperative Period

David A. Mateo de Acosta Andino, Brett Melnikoff, Kelsey Kennedy, Sarah Balladares, Wilson Delaney, Jorge de la Torre and Sherry S. Collawn

Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, USA

^*Correspondance to: Sherry S. Collawn 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1726

Abstract

Background: The sensitivity of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) is important to patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty and is frequently altered postoperatively.Objective: Our aim was to evaluate NAC sensitivity as perceived by the patients, after superomedial pedicle reduction mammaplasty (SPRM), and its relationship to preoperative breast size, nipple to sternal-notch distance (NN), and total resection volume.Patients and
Methods: We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of SPRMs in an 8-year period. We identified 133 patients, with 48 (96 NACs) having documented postoperative NAC sensitivity reports in their early postoperative course. Pre and post-operative NN, bra size and specimen weight were analyzed.Results: Thirty-six patients (66 NACs-68.7%) reported unchanged NAC sensation, 9 patients (16 NACs-16.6%) reported decreased sensation, and 7 patients (12 NACs-12.5%) reported improved sensation. The average preoperative NN in the patients with decreased sensation was 33.8 cm with an average of 521.8 g resected. Patients with improved NAC sensation had average preoperative NN of 31 cm and an average 450.2 g resected. The preoperative NN in those patients with unchanged sensation was 32.6 cm with an average of 567.5 g resected. Preoperative cup size positively influenced nipple sensation (p=0.001) while resected breast volume (p=0.2) and postoperative cup size (p=0.76) had no influence on nipple sensation.Conclusion: Patients that underwent SPRM exhibited 81.2% preserved or improved NAC sensitivity. Preoperative NN, postoperative NN and final specimen weight did not impact NAC sensitivity. Larger preoperative bra size correlated with decreased postoperative NAC sensation after SPRM.

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Cite the article

de Acosta Andino DAM, Melnikoff B, Kennedy K, Balladares S, Delaney W, de la Torre J, et al. Changes in Patient Reported Nipple Sensation after Superomedial Pedicle Reduction Mammaplasty in the Early Postoperative Period. Clin Surg. 2017; 2: 1726.