CORRECTION OF INVERTED NIPPLES ARIZONA

Inverted nipples are a fairly common, usually congenital, variation of breast anatomy. Less often, nipple inversion can result from scarring from infection or prior surgery. Whatever the cause, a careful history is taken to determine whether the condition is recent or has been present since the breasts began to develop.

Corrective surgery is usually effective and permanent, with an effect on subsequent breast feeding that varies in proportion to the amount of release required by the underlying ductal tissues of the nipple complex. Certainly in severe (Grade III) cases, nipple inversion is such that breast feeding can be very difficult to achieve, if at all.

Many women are displeased with the appearance of a partially- or fully-inverted nipple; rashes, chafing and odor can also occur as normal skin cells and oils build up locally, instead of being cleansed away by regular bathing.

Patients are often quite surprised that the actual surgery to "evert" the nipples is performed fairly easily, under a local anesthetic (with some sedation at the patient's request). Scar tissue and shortened milk ducts are released one at a time, so as to preserve as much lactation ability as possible. Recovery is rapid, with mild soreness and, in some instances, the need to wear a small nipple appliance to maintain the new, inverted nipple.