Fading of nipple-areolar reconstructions: the last hurdle in breast reconstruction?

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dc.contributor.authorDean, N.
dc.contributor.authorNeild, T.
dc.contributor.authorHaynes, J.
dc.contributor.authorGoddard, C.
dc.contributor.authorCooter, R.
dc.date.issued2002
dc.descriptionCopyright © 2002 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
dc.description.abstractFading of nipple-areolar reconstructions is commonly reported, but there are few formal studies of this phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to determine whether deficiencies in nipple-areolar reconstruction and pigmentation were perceived by patients, their partners and independent observers, and whether a technique could be developed to measure nipple-areolar colour reliably. A total of 57 patients, 32 partners and four independent observers completed questionnaires about the appearance of the patients' breast reconstructions in general and specifically about their nipple-areolar reconstructions. Scores for the general attributes of the breast reconstruction were used as internal controls for the scores of the nipple-areolar reconstruction. A computer software package was developed to analyse colour in photographs of the reconstructions. Independent observers thought that nipple-areolar reconstruction improved the appearance of a breast reconstruction 81% of the time. Considerably fewer patients were happy with their nipple-areolar colour than were happy with the more general attributes of the breast reconstruction (P < 0.005). Colour analysis objectively demonstrated measurable mismatch between normal and reconstructed nipple-areolar skin, which was positively correlated with time since surgery due to fading of the nipple-areolar reconstruction. In our patients, the quality of nipple-areolar reconstruction, in particular its pigmentation, is seen as inferior to that of the rest of the breast reconstruction in the eyes of patients, their partners and independent observers. The poor colour match and fading of reconstructed nipple-areolar skin are phenomena that can be measured using colour analysis.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityN. R. Dean, T. Neild, J. Haynes, C. Goddard and R. D. Cooter
dc.description.urihttp://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/707671/description#description
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 2002; 55(7):574-581
dc.identifier.doi10.1054/bjps.2002.3920
dc.identifier.issn1748-6815
dc.identifier.issn0007-1226
dc.identifier.orcidDean, N. [0000-0001-7084-2359]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/10547
dc.language.isoen
dc.provenanceFormer title: British Journal of Plastic Surgery
dc.publisherChurchill Livingstone
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1054/bjps.2002.3920
dc.subjectNipples
dc.subjectSurgical Flaps
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectObserver Variation
dc.subjectSkin Pigmentation
dc.subjectTreatment Outcome
dc.subjectMammaplasty
dc.subjectSkin Transplantation
dc.subjectAnalysis of Variance
dc.subjectChi-Square Distribution
dc.subjectAdult
dc.subjectMiddle Aged
dc.subjectPatient Satisfaction
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectSurveys and Questionnaires
dc.titleFading of nipple-areolar reconstructions: the last hurdle in breast reconstruction?
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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