American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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lan5086
2 years ago
Answered

Inverted nipple repair complication

What could cause nipples to turn black and slough off after an inverted nipple repair?

Procedure: General Reconstruction
Location: Columbus, OH

Replies 5

Alfred Antonetti
ASPS Surgeon

Correction of inverted nipples is a very simple procedure that is usually done under local anesthesia and takes about 10 minutes. Poor blood supply could make this happen as it could with any surgical procedure but it would be extremely rare with inverted nipple surgery.

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Dr Abel Mounir
ASPS Int. Surgeon

Usually nipple necrosis (turn black) only and mainly if the blood supply to the nipple areola complex has been damaged. This usually happens if the inverted nipple correction has been combined with areola reduction. This is when the superficial blood supply has been affected during the reduction of the areola and in the meantime the deep blood supply has been damaged during the interference with milk ducts and correction of inverted nipple. I can not imagine only nipple correction did lead to necrosis!

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Robert Buchanan

Nipples turning black and sloughing indicates loss of blood supply. This can occur if too much dissection is done to release the nipple or the base of the nipple is sutured too tightly. Instead of asking here, you should be discussing it with your surgeon to decide how best to limit the amount of loss.

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Kimberly Marble
ASPS Surgeon

Smoking

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