Yin–Yang NAC sharing: Full-thickness split graft from a single NAC for bilateral immediate reconstruction after skin-reducing mastectomy
Nipple-areola complex (NAC) reconstruction significantly contributes to postmastectomy body image and patient satisfaction. While nipple sharing has been described in delayed settings, its application in immediate reconstruction after skin-reducing mastectomy (SRM) is limited. We report the case of a 32-year-old BRCA1+ patient undergoing bilateral SRM with immediate implant-based reconstruction, in which a novel Yin-Yang nipple grafting technique was performed using the hypertrophic contralateral nipple. The donor nipple was harvested as a full-thickness non-vascularized graft, divided along a curved Yin-Yang fashion, and both halves were reshaped and grafted bilaterally to create two circular, natural-looking NACs. At the 6-month follow-up, the grafts showed complete take, satisfactory projection, and pigmentation. This report illustrates the feasibility and limitations of one-stage NAC reconstruction using a non-vascularized nipple graft technique in a selected patient undergoing SRM.
Authors
- G Mantovani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3488-3425)
- Claudio Gio Francesco Blessent
- Filippo Taccioli
- Massimo Pinelli
- G Federici
Institutions
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (IT)
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- JPRAS Open
- Published
- 2025-10-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpra.2025.10.029
- Primary Topic
- Breast Implant and Reconstruction
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00