What Is The Best Way To Fix A Failed Inverted Nipple Repair?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have had two inverted nipple correction surgeries by two different doctors, both of which were unsuccessful. My nipples are grade III inverted. I am at a loss as to what to do. Do you think that breast implants would help in my inverted nipple correction. Would they help push the nipple out once it has been released?

A: Inverted nipple correction has a high rate of recurrent contracture/inversion after release. Your experience is not completely rare. Many methods have been described in plastic surgery for the correction of inverted nipples which speaks to the fact that it is both a difficult problem and that none of them work that well. Once the nipple has been released and brought out by suture traction during surgery, there remains a dead space or tissue deficiency underneath. I have found that filling this in with either a dermal-fat grafts or allogeneic dermis is the best way to prevent recurrent inversion. The fill must be immediately underneath the released nipple. The push from a much deeper breast implants will not work.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana