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Background: Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) can be performed for prophylactic mastectomy and the treatment of selected breast cancer with oncologic safety. The risk of skin and nipple necrosis is a frequent complication of NSM procedure, and it is usually related to surgical technique. However, the role of the breast morphology should be also investigated. Method: We prospectively performed an analysis of 124 NSM from September 2012 to January 2013 at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy, focusing on necrotic complications. We analyzed the association between the risks of skin necrosis and the breast morphology of the patients. Results: Among 124 NSM in 113 patients, NSM procedures were associated with necrosis in 22 mastectomies (17.7%) among which included partial necrosis of nipple-areolar complex (NAC) in 15 of 124 NSM (12.1%) and total necrosis in 4 cases (3.5%). The NAC was removed in 5 NSM cases (4%). The volume of breast removed was the only significant factor increasing the risk of skin necrosis. The degree of ptosis was not significantly related to the necrosis risk. Conclusions: Large glandular specimen increases the risk of NAC necrosis. The degree of ptosis and the distance between the sternal notch and the NAC have no significant impact on necrotic complications in NSM. To reduce the necrotic complications in large breast after NSM, reconstruction should better be performed with autologous flap or slow skin expansion using the expander technique.

Summary: Secondary correction of nipple areola complex (NAC) malposition represents a major concern after breast reconstructive procedures. It is frequently requested by patients complaining about asymmetric areolas impairing the whole reconstructive procedure and asking for improved cosmetic outcomes. Several methods have been described to achieve a good symmetry between the 2 areolas, either natural or reconstructed. We describe our correction technique with free NAC graft. A total of 16 patients were treated with free NAC grafts between April 2010 and April 2013 at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. This series focused on the surgical technique and its postoperative outcomes. Three cases of partial graft loss (18%) were observed in the postoperative period. No total NAC necrosis occurred. No infection was observed. All the complications were managed with a conservative treatment, not requiring any further surgery. NAC malposition following breast reconstructive procedures can be corrected using the technique of free NAC graft with reliable and satisfactory results.