Evaluation of Sensitivity in Specific Points of the Areola and Nipple of Patients Submitted to Reduction Mammoplasty With Periareolar Dermis Release: A Randomized Controlled Study.

[BACKGROUND] To date, studies on periareolar dermis release have recorded the areola sensitivity as a mean. Despite being clinically reported by patients, specific points of the areola may present sensitivities not detected when researchers only consider mean values.

[OBJECTIVES] The aim of this study was to determine the pressure sensitivity at specific points of the nipple-areola complex and compare these values with the mean value measured in the areolas of patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty with periareolar dermis release.

[METHODS] This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial of 39 consecutive patients (78 breasts) who underwent surgery for treatment of breast hypertrophy; the same surgical technique was used for all patients. In each patient, 1 breast was assigned to a control group and the other to an experimental group. The periareolar dermis release was performed in the experimental group (39 breasts). Pressure sensitivity was tested with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments on the papilla and at 4 specific points of the areola. The evaluations were conducted preoperatively and at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 1 year postoperatively.

[RESULTS] The group comparisons show a statistically significant difference in sensitivity at the medial point of the areola and in the papilla at 3 weeks postoperation. This difference disappeared in the 1-year evaluation. This recovery profile also occurs when areola sensitivity corresponds to a mean value. The sensitivity significantly decreased at the lower point of the areola up to 1 year postoperation in the control and experimental groups.

[CONCLUSIONS] The periareolar dermis release did not compromise the pressure sensitivity at the points evaluated in the nipple-areola complex. The mean areola sensitivity differed from the sensitivity at the lower point of the areola.