Vascular compromise of the nipple areolar complex (NAC) is a dreaded complication of reduction mammoplasty that can lead to significant loss of nipple and/or areolar tissue. Different interventions have been used to ameliorate venous congestion and improve survival of NAC and mammoplasty skin flaps, in this study, the effect of topical glycerin tri-nitrate ointment was studied; being a readily available and relatively inexpensive topical treatment compared to other interventions.
Aim of the work:
The aim of the study was to assess the effect of application of topical glycerin tri-nitrate ointment on the survival of reduction mammoplasty skin flaps and nipple areola complex and to report any possible side effects of its use.
Methods:
This was a randomized comparative study where in each of the study subjects one breast was randomly allocated to the treatment group and the other was left as a control, by the end of the follow up period the rate of congestion and necrosis was compared between both groups.