Abstract:

Objective To compare and analyze clinical effects of three correction methods in type Ⅲnipple retraction. Methods A total of 93 patients with type Ⅲ nipple retraction were retrospectively enrolled at Clifford Hospital between May 2018 and December 2023. Based on the different surgical methods employed， they were categorized into three groups： group A （silk traction method， n = 30）， group B （areola double-flap method， n = 31）， and group C （areola single-flap method， n = 32）. The study compared the operation time， therapeutic efficacy， hemodynamic disorders， improvement in nipple appearance and function， complications， patient satisfaction， and recurrence rates among these three groups. Results The operation duration was significantly longer in group B compared to groups A and C （P < 0.05）. Group C exhibited a significantly higher total response rate than groups A and B （P < 0.05）， while no significant difference was observed between groups A and B （P > 0.05）. There were no significant differences in the incidence of hemodynamic disorders among the three groups （P > 0.05）. The improvement scores for nipple appearance and function were significantly higher in group C compared to groups A and B （P < 0.05）， with no significant difference between groups A and B （P > 0.05）. The incidence of complications was lower， satisfaction was higher， both being statistically significant， in group C compared to groups A and B （P < 0.05）， but there were no significant differences in the incidence of complications or satisfaction between groups A and B （P > 0.05）. The recurrence rate was significantly lower in group B and group C than in group A （P < 0.05）. Conclusion The correction effect of the areola single-flap method is superior to that of the silk traction method and areola double-flap method in patients with type Ⅲ nipple retraction， thereby enhancing clinical efficacy， patient satisfaction， nipple aesthetics， and functionality while reducing complications and recurrence rates.

Key words: nipple retraction, complication, areola single-flap method, silk traction method, areola double-flap method