Reconstruction of the nipple.

Once reconstruction of the breast mound has been accomplished following an ablative procedure, reconstruction of the nipple and areola provides added dimension to the psychological well-being of the patient. A number of techniques are available to accomplish this satisfactorily. An areola can be created by tattooing; areolar sharing; grafting from any skin area, especially the medial thigh, labium minora or minora-majora, and the scrotum in men; and by banking the areola and nipple at the time of breast removal. The nipple can be constructed from grafts from the opposite nipple, toe tip, ear lobe, or other skin areas; cartilage or plastic implants; or by projecting the central area of the areola with purse string sutures, overgrafts, and buried grafts or implants.