Treatment of delayed venous congestion of the nipple-areolar complex after reduction mammoplasty

Abstract

Reduction mammoplasty is a widely performed operation with excellent patient satisfaction [1]. The early complications of reduction mammoplasty include bleeding, infection, and wound dehiscence [2]. One of the most devastating complications is tissue necrosis, especially of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC). Although uncommon, NAC ischemia can lead to partial or total necrosis of the NAC [3]. Edema, blue discoloration, and dark sanguineous bleeding upon pinprick are suggestive of venous congestion of the NAC [4]. In most cases, NAC congestion is recognized intraoperatively after inset of the pedicle and the NAC or within a few hours after the completion of the operation [3,5]. Here, we present a case of delayed venous congestion of the NAC identified 48 hours after the completion of bilateral reduction mammoplasty.