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Reconstruction of the nipple and areola

The most popular method of reconstruction for the nipple-areola complex is a combination of techniques. The nipple is rebuilt using a local skin flap or dermal-fat flap and the areola is reconstructed by tattooing or a skin graft. If tattooing is used, it is done several months after the nipple is reconstructed.

Storing, or banking, the nipple-areola area is no longer performed because it has a risk of seeding or spreading the original cancer.

Nipple areola sharing (a technique where part of the nipple and areola from the other side is used) is not often done because it may distort the normal nipple. In patient with large nipples, sharing of the nipple alone is occasionally used. By no means all women want to rebuild the nipple after they have had breast reconstruction. Many are happy to accept the recosntructed mound alone.