Breast enlargement through the nipple is perhaps the most common of all surgical breast augmentation procedures. The operation offers good results and an easy surgical approach, which makes it popular with cosmetic surgeons around the world. However, periareolar augmentation offers few specific benefits to the patient and a host of possible complications due to the placement of the incision.
This commentary talks about the positive and negative considerations of placing breast implants through the areolar border.
Risks of Breast Enlargement Through the Nipple
The periareolar incision is placed around the bottom half of the areola, below the actual nipple. The surgical wound is created in the most sensitive area of the breast and also the region with the most vascular and nerve tissue.
Although the surgeon will be careful about not damaging any glandular, vascular or neurological tissues, these unfortunate events do occur.
Damage to the breast glands can impede or prevent successful breastfeeding for life.
Damage to the vascular tissue can cause circulatory complications, including necrosis, which is a rare, but very serious condition.
Damage to the neurological tissue can prevent nipple response (firming), as well as reducing overall sensitivity in the nipple or the entire breast.
Placing the breast implant through the nipple also carries a higher risk of infection due to the bacteria which naturally live in this anatomical region. Surgeons must be extremely careful to leave a clean surgical wound in order to prevent infection, which can result in secondary surgical procedures, capsular contracture or even necessitate implant removal.
Doctor’s View of Breast Enlargement Through the Areola
This procedure is one of the easiest approaches in breast augmentation. This makes the periareolar incision very popular among plastic surgeons. Remember that you are the person paying for the procedure and it is not your responsibility to make your doctor’s job easier. It is their job to perform your chosen procedure, even if it involves a more challenging surgical scenario.
If you are inclined towards the periareolar approach, then this is not a valid issue. However, if you are against the idea of a possible scar on your breast and have been convinced to use this approach, you might want to rethink that decision and learn the facts about other competitive procedures.
Remember, not all cosmetic surgeons perform transumbilical and transaxillary augmentation, so they will obviously advise going with the technique they do perform.
Breast Enlargement Through the Nipple Synopsis
This particular incision is appropriate for almost any breast augmentation placement. However, it might not always be the best option.
The possibility of scarring around the nipple can ruin the aesthetic quality of the breasts and defeat the purpose of the surgery, by causing more problems than it cures.
If you are thinking about undergoing a mastopexy along with your augmentation, then this incision is perfect for you. The breast lift will use part of the same incision, so the implants are an easy addition, once the surgical wound is already created.
Of course, some breast lifts will use additional incisions which might also include an inframammary wound. In this case, the implants can be placed through either the periareolar or the inframammary incisions.
