Medical Tattooing: New Device Helps Plastic Surgeons Perform 3D Nipple Tattoos For Breast Reconstruction Surgeries
Source: Thailand Medical News Dec 27, 2019 4 years, 3 months, 4 weeks, 2 days, 12 hours, 10 minutes ago
Medical tattooing is a critical reconstructive component in women following
mastectomy. recently, novel three-dimensional
tattooing techniques mimicking depth by using light and shadow principles have allowed for aesthetically superior results.
Three-dimensional tattoos offer a new alternative for creating a natural-looking nipple after breast reconstruction. For most women, accessing this option means finding a tattoo artist with the skill to create these detailed tattoos. Now a new device called Nipple by Number® enables plastic surgeons to perform realistic-looking 3D nipple tattoos as an in-office procedure, reports a paper in the latest issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Lead author Dr Solomon Azouz, MD, of Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale told
Thailand Medical News, "
Nipple by
Number® is a simple stencil device that allows consistent, realistic
3D tattooing of the
nipple-areola complex (nac) to complete
breast reconstruction. It allows plastic surgeons to perform this sought-after procedure in a safe, reliable, and more- affordable manner, without the need for special training or experience."
For females with breast cancer,
mastectomy results in loss of the nac, the nipple and surrounding tissue.
Breast reconstruction has important benefits after
mastectomy, but the surgical options for nac reconstruction are limited.
Recently,
3D breast tattoos have emerged as a new approach to creating a natural-appearing
nipple and areola. Developed by skilled
tattoo artists, these techniques use subtle effects of light and shadow to create realistic-looking
3D nac tattoos.
However,
3D nipple tattoos may be difficult to access for most patients. Relatively few artists can perform these sophisticated tattoos. Patients and surgeons may have concerns about verifying the artist's skill, or about visiting a
tattoo parlor to have the procedure performed. in a survey, Dr. Azouz and colleagues found that less than one-fourth of plastic surgery offices can perform
3D nipple tattoos, or even refer patients to a qualified
tattoo artist. National average out-of-pocket costs range from $640 for unilateral to $956 for bilat
eral
breast tattoos.
The new
Nipple by
Number device was developed to provide plastic surgeons with a way of performing
3D nipple tattoos as an office procedure. Itself created by
3D printing, the simple device consists of removeable stencil layers with customizable holes to provide a guide for well-controlled and precise
tattooing.
Dr. Azouz added, "The device allows a more facile and efficient approach by allowing those not skilled in the freehand artistic techniques of light and shadow to create a
3D recreation of the nac.”
The stencil includes openings to guide placement of highlights and shadows to create the illusion of a projecting nipple, and even the tiny Montgomery glands surrounding the
nipple. In patients whose
reconstruction includes a raised
nipple, the device can also be used to create "4D"
tattoos.
Females have the natural appearance of their
nipple restored based on preoperative photographs, or choose from a catalog of nac designs. The authors note that the
Nipple by
Number device not only provides a guide for performing
tattoos, but may also shorten the learning curve for surgeons or other professionals to gain the technical and artistic skills needed to provide high-quality results with
3D nipple tattooing.
The researchers hope their tool will help make the option of
3D nipple tattooing more widely available to women who have undergone
breast reconstruction.
Dr Azouz concludes: "The
Nipple by
Number device will decrease the number of patients who are left to independently find a safe and skilled
tattoo artist to complete their
breast reconstruction and aid more plastic and reconstructive surgery practices in providing this important service."
Reference: A Nipple-Areola Stencil For Three-Dimensional Tattooing: Nipple By Number
Azouz, Solomon M.D.; Swanson, Marco M.D.; Omarkhil, Mirwais B.S.; Rebecca, Alanna M.D.
Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery: January 2020 - Volume 145 - Issue 1 - P 38-42
Doi: 10.1097/Prs.0000000000006398
