Retention of a reconstructed nipple using a C-V flap with different layer thicknesses in the C-flap.
BACKGROUND
The C-V flap for nipple reconstruction is now one of standard surgical techniques. But decreased projection is still a problem. In recent years, it has been suggested that projection can be more easily maintained when raising of the C-flap is performed with a split thickness dermis. In this study, we examined whether decrease of projection can be prevented by raising of a C-flap with a split dermis rather than with full dermis.


METHODS
A total of 49 consecutive patients who underwent reconstruction of a nipple using the C-V flap technique were enrolled. The patients included 22 who underwent surgery using a C-flap with a full thickness dermis (Group F), and 27 who underwent surgery with raising of a flap with a split thickness dermis (Group S). The size of the reconstructed nipple was measured at 2 weeks, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively for comparison between Groups F and S.


RESULTS
Partial necrosis of the C-flap end occurred in 4 subjects in only Group S. The decrease in projection after 1 year postoperatively in Group S was significantly lower than that in Group F. In contrast, the teat base size in Group F tended to be greater than that in Group S, suggesting a tendency for an expanded base using a flap with a full dermis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicated that it is recommended to use a C-flap with a split dermis for cases with high projection of the nipple on the contralateral side.
['Sowa|Yoshihiro|Y|', 'Itsukage|Sizu|S|', 'Sakaguchi|Kouichi|K|', 'Taguchi|Tetsuya|T|', 'Numajiri|Toshiaki|T|']
D000328:Adult D018427:Breast Implants D001943:Breast Neoplasms D002921:Cicatrix D015331:Cohort Studies D004954:Esthetics D005260:Female D006801:Humans D016462:Mammaplasty D008875:Middle Aged D009558:Nipples D012189:Retrospective Studies D018570:Risk Assessment D013524:Surgical Flaps D014945:Wound Healing
C-V flap Nipple reconstruction breast reconstruction nipple projection