C-V flap nipple reconstruction combined with areola grafting

Creation of a nipple-areola complex often represents the final step in a long and troubling reconstructive process for women with breast cancer. After this hard time, the procedure of choice needs to be convenient, painless and reliable. C-V flap technique for nipple reconstruction, designed especially for later areola tattooing, is a quick and effective form of nipple reconstruction using local tissue and reported that it could serve this aim. Nipples of 12 patients whose mastectomy sites were reconstructed with TRAM flaps were reconstructed with C-V flaps, but their areolas were skin grafted from distant areas instead of tattooing. At the follow-up evaluations, patients’ satisfaction was high in projection, pigmentation, sensation and overall parameters. We concluded and agreed that C-V flap technique was a very reliable method of nipple reconstruction, even when combined with areola grafting.