Areola Skin Graft on an Implant Due to Mastectomy

asked 1 year ago by Lady123 in Toronto, ON
Latest answer by David L. Abramson, MD
Question viewed 292 times
Tags: graft, healing, spots

Is it normal for a skin grafted areola (tissue used from the other breast) to open up in spots, but heal over? Does this mean the graft didn't take? My surgery was 3 months ago and since then have had no issues.

6 answers to Areola Skin Graft on an Implant Due to Mastectomy

Breast reconstruction

It is not normal for the skin to open up 3 months after surgery. This would be particularly concerning if the breast was radiated. I would see your surgeon frequently to make sure that this does not become a more significant problem

David L. Abramson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Nipple reconstruction

Sometimes a skin graft is used as an areola reconstruction instead of tattooing. It can have healing issues and open up in spots as it heals.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Nipple Areolar Reconstruction with Skin Grafts

The use of skin grafts for areola reconstruction as a part of nipple areolar reconstruction for breast reconstruction relies on the skin graft receiving the in-growth of capillary blood vessels from the graft bed (raw surface) of the breast skin. Sometimes not all of the skin graft develops this blood supply, and you may have areas as you described, which as in your case usually heal over time.

Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

Skin grafting for areolar reconstruction

yes, it is not uncommon to have a small portion of a skin graft have delayed healing due to lack of blood supply. Overtime, this will fill in and heal. Followup with your reconstructive surgeon will determine if future scar revision is necessary. Paul S. Gill, M.D. Gill Plastic Surgery Houston Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon