Trillium Flap for Postmastectomy Neo-Nipple Reconstruction (A Novel Technique)

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer cases, mastectomy and following reconstruction procedures are growing in numbers. Despite being lifesaving, mastectomies have a destructive psychological impact on the patients. On the other hand, breast reconstruction improves psychological damages within the same population. Various techniques for nipple reconstruction were described in literature. Trillium flap is an innovative technique to reconstruct neo-nipple with several advantages that make it superior to other popular flaps. Objectives: To come up with an innovative design for reconstructing a neo-nipple post mastectomy, that is superior to other popular flaps. Results: The Trillium flap design has less visible and easily camouflaged scars, is geometry-based, specific, well-detailed and flexible to produce a tailored nipple with any desired height and diameter and ensures the flaps good vascularity and the neo-nipple projection sustainability. Conclusion: Trillium flap is an innovative technique to reconstruct neo-nipple with several advantages that make it superior to other popular flaps. The results shown in the study are for experimental procedures done on human tissue samples of excised flaps from abdominoplasties and brachioplasties. Further application on actual cases is needed with monitoring of neo-nipple projection sustainability on the long term.