The ‘Cigar Roll’ Flap for Nipple-Areola Complex Reconstruction

Abstract

Numerous techniques have been described for reconstruction of the NAC reflecting the fact that no one technique is best. The objectives are to recreate a natural looking NAC, which transforms a breast mound into an aesthetically pleasing breast. Important features to achieve this are position, size, shape, colour, texture and projection. The most challenging is maintaining projection after 6 months. ‘Cigar roll’ flap is a technique performed under local anaesthetic involving deepithelializing one half of the designed flap and using this as a base for recreating the nipple. This technique is simple, reproducible involving a local flap and produces consistent results.