Nipple eversion

Nipple inversion may be a developmental problem caused by tethering of the developing nipple by short ducts. The nipple will have been pulled in ever since the breast developed.

New inversion occurring later in life needs to be carefully assessed to find a cause as it is sometimes due to a cancer pulling on the ducts.

Inflammatory conditions like periductal mastitis and duct ectasia can also cause this problem.

Benign nipple inversion can be corrected surgically by dividing the ducts in theatre.

Nipple eversion is performed as a day-case procedure under a light general anaesthetic.

A curved incision is made around part of the areola. The nipple skin is lifted up to expose the ducts lying underneath it.

The ducts that are pulling in the nipple are cut and the skin is repositioned and closed with a dissolving suture.

A plastic dressing is placed over the nipple. this should stay on until your followup visit in week. It is waterproof and you can bath or shower normally.

Possible problems:

• Bruising
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Reduced nipple sensation
• Recurrent inversion caused by scar tissue
• You will not be able to breast feed after this procedure as the ducts have been divided.