COMPARISON OF NIPPLE PROJECTION WITH THE MODIFIED DOUBLE-OPPOSING TABAND STAR FLAPS

This study compared nipple projection after nipple reconstruction (fol lowing breast mound reconstruction) with either the modified double-op posing tab flap or the star flap. Areolar reconstruction and pigmentat ion of the nipple were achieved with tattooing. Nipple projection for 153 nipples was measured at least 6 months after the reconstruction, w hen projection was believed to have become stable. Mean follow-up was 2.27 years. In the 106 nipples reconstructed with modified double-oppo sing tab flaps, the mean projection was 2.4292 mm, while in the 47 nip ples reconstructed with star flaps, the mean projection was 1.9681 mm (p = 0.021). We conclude that although both methods are effective, the modified double-opposing tab flap has slightly more projection after approximately 2 years. It is not known, however, whether this is becau se of reduced nap atrophy or longer initial projection by the modified double-opposing tab flap; further studies are ongoing.