What is the conservative treatment for inverted nipples? How to surgically correct inverted nipples

Inverted nipples are a common phenomenon, and their appearance affects not only beauty, but also breastfeeding and women's health, and must be paid full attention to after they appear.

Inverted nipples

Inverted nipples refer to the phenomenon that the female nipples do not protrude on the surface of the areola, the skin surface is concave, and there is a local crater-like phenomenon.

Symptoms of inverted nipples

Generally, one or both nipples retract under the skin of the breast. Erythema, pain around the areola and a lump under the areola may lead to ductal mastitis. If secondary to breast cancer, there are skin lesions such as orange peel and armor in the affected breast. Primary nipple inversion occurs more often in adolescent girls, and secondary nipple inversion occurs more often in lactating women.

Nipple inversion treatment

1. Conservative treatment: nipple inversion develops significantly with puberty, and nipple inverted treatment generally starts from about 18 years old. Before treatment, the degree of nipple inversion should be judged first, and two fingers should be placed around the areola so that the nipple protrudes towards the surface and squeezes towards the middle. If the nipple can be squeezed out and left on for a few seconds, the invaginated deformity can be corrected by vacuum suction.

Physical therapy is often effective for young women during adolescence, with conservative treatment being preferred.

2. Surgery to preserve the breast duct: suitable for patients with mild, moderate and severe depression. Before surgery, carefully wash the depression with a cotton swab moistened with hydrogen peroxide water and normal saline to reduce the chance of surgical infection, and add epinephrine 0.5%-1% lidocaine nipple base local infiltration anesthesia. Some literature considers the use of epinephrine contraindicated by nipple anaesthesia, and we have not experienced the development of epinephrine-related complications in our clinical experience.

3. Breast duct cutting surgery: For women who have given birth and do not consider breastfeeding in the future, or patients with recurrent local inflammation and severe scar deformation, the Broadbone surgical method can be used.

Precautions for surgical correction

1. Do not take aspirin-containing drugs within two weeks before surgery. Because aspirin reduces the clotting function of platelets.

2. Patients with hypertension and diabetes should inform the doctor of the details at the initial diagnosis so that the doctor can confirm the surgical plan.

3. Confirm that you are in good health and have no other infectious or inflammatory nature before surgery.

4. It should not be operated on during menstruation, pregnancy and lactation within 6 months.

5. After surgery, the upper limbs should be avoided, and a bandage can be used to bandage the chest if necessary.

6. 4-5 days after surgery, the breast can be massaged, squeezed in all directions, once in the morning and once in the evening, to prevent membrane contracture.

7. If the wound is red and swollen or a small amount of exudate, the subcutaneous is hard, and physiotherapy should be carried out.

8. Avoid sex for one week after surgery, and pay attention to breasts for one month after that.