To explore the feasibility and safety of partial reconstruction of areola-nipple-complex for breast cancer patients with bloody nipple discharge.

This retrospective study included five breast cancer patients with bloody nipple discharge who underwent partial reconstruction of areola-nipple-complex in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from October 2015 to December 2017. After operation, postoperative complications, asymmetry of both nipples, nipple retraction rate, patient satisfaction, recurrence and metastasis were comprehensively evaluated.

All 5 reconstructed nipples survived and healed well after operation. The patients were followed up for 20-46 months, median 39 months. There were 3 patients showed high-level satisfaction with the surgery and 2 showed moderate. There was no local recurrence or distant metastasis in 5 cases. Although the reconstructed nipples had shrunk to a certain extent (range: 13.1%-48.1%, the average nipple retraction rate was 38.5%), they presented good asymmetry with contralateral nipples.

In eligible breast cancer patients with bloody nipple discharge, partial reconstruction of areola-nipple-complex was safe, feasible and minimally invasive.