Surgical Correction of Nipple Hypertrophy after Nipple-sparing Mastectomy with Breast Reconstruction

Abstract

Nipple hypertrophy is a relatively common phenomenon, particularly in the Asian patient population. The incidence and prevalence or cause of nipple hypertrophy are not well defined in the literature. As survival rates for breast cancer patients continue to improve, there is an increasing emphasis on enhancing their quality of life. Treatment options, such as lumpectomy and radiation therapy or mastectomy, now prioritize preservation of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) through techniques like nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM). This approach has been shown to improve patient satisfaction and quality of life. However, it is important to note that NSM is associated with certain complications, including NAC necrosis, malposition, and local recurrence of the tumor. Among those complications, nipple hypertrophy is quite rare. In this report, we present a case of nipple hypertrophy that developed after breast reconstruction, using autologous tissue. The patient, a 48-year-old woman, underwent NSM for breast cancer, and had a tissue expander placed simultaneously. Following tissue expansion, breast reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap was performed. However, during the tissue expansion phase, the patient's nipple gradually enlarged, and the protrusion became more pronounced after the DIEP flap transfer. Nipple reduction surgery was subsequently performed for both diagnostic and cosmetic purposes. We present this case along with a review of relevant literature.