How common is nipple loss after breast reduction surgery?

Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Stuart Linder, MD, explains that while nipple loss following a breast reduction is unfortunately extremely difficult to repair, it is also, thankfully, very rare.

Transcript

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I would say that nipple loss due to blood supply issues

00:06

is probably less than 1%. [MUSIC PLAYING]

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Nipple loss is a complication that can occur after a breast reduction surgery. Thankfully, it is a very rare complication.

00:24

I would say that nipple loss due to blood supply issues

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is probably less than 1%, thankfully. I have in my practice seen patients that have presented to me with nipple loss

00:38

from other surgeons. It is an extremely difficult problem to fix, obviously because you'd have to reconstruct

00:44

the nipple itself. Nipple loss should not occur, in general. And the reason for that occurring

00:50

is due to poor surgical technique. You have to maintain blood supply to what we call pedicle, which maintains

00:58

the vascularity to the nipple. That pedicle needs to be a certain distance and it needs to remain down to the fascia overlying the chest

01:05

wall muscles. If your surgeon is not a board certified plastic surgeon, if your surgeon doesn't have experience with breast

01:12

reduction surgery, obviously you're not-- you should probably look for a different doctor. Because again, breast reduction surgery

01:19

is a complicated operation and it requires a lot of skill, experience, and judgment. And only board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons