The uses of external nipple-areola prostheses following reconstruction of a breast mound after mastectomy.

Following reconstruction of the breast after mastectomy it is common practice to allow a "settling" period before grafting the nipple-areola complex. A selection of external nipple-areola prostheses are described which can be used until surgical reconstruction can be carried out and which are helpful in determining the correct position of the nipple-areola grafts. It has been found that some patients actually prefer to use the prostheses permanently for dress purposes rather than undergo an additional operation.