Inverted nipples

Inverted nipples may sometimes come out in which case they may respond to treatment with a niplette (made by Avent). Generally nipples which are always inverted or those which do not respond to treatment with the niplette require surgery to correct.

Surgery is performed as day case surgery and is a relatively small, local anaesthetic procedure. Once anaesthetised, the nipple is split and the fibrous bands around the ducts are divided, allowing the nipple to evert normally. To maintain the everted position I put in a purse-string suture around the nipple and will place a small cup over the nipple which you will need to wear for about 5-7 days.

Surgery is mostly successful, although recurrence (return to an inverted nipple), can sometime occur.

Long/big nipples

Long or big nipples can be surgically reduced. Surgery is performed as day case surgery and is a relatively small, local anaesthetic procedure. It is important to decide pre-operatively whether the nipples are too long, too broad or whether the problem is a combination of both.

Article written 25 September 2010