How Useful Is the SSN–Nipple Distance? An Analytical Questionnaire Survey on Anthropometric Measurements for the Aesthetically Ideal Positioning of the Nipple–Areolar Complex
Several studies have attempted to identify the optimal anthropometric measurement for the aesthetically ideal positioning of the nipple–areolar complex. However, no standardised solutions and measurements for planning surgical procedures have been reached. The aim of this study is to identify the op...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/7/2494 |
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| author | Rafael Loucas Marios Loucas Sebastian Leitsch Julius Michael Mayer Andrea Alberti Omar Haroon Marlon Petrus Konstantin Christoph Koban Thomas Holzbach |
| author_facet | Rafael Loucas Marios Loucas Sebastian Leitsch Julius Michael Mayer Andrea Alberti Omar Haroon Marlon Petrus Konstantin Christoph Koban Thomas Holzbach |
| author_sort | Rafael Loucas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Several studies have attempted to identify the optimal anthropometric measurement for the aesthetically ideal positioning of the nipple–areolar complex. However, no standardised solutions and measurements for planning surgical procedures have been reached. The aim of this study is to identify the optimal anthropometric measurement between the suprasternal notch (SSN)–nipple distance and mid-clavicle (MC)–nipple distance for the aesthetic position of the nipple–areola complex (NAC) on the breast. A detailed online survey was sent to 300 board-certified plastic surgeons and residents of plastic surgery departments of hospitals in German, Austrian, and Swiss. A similar survey was also provided to 100 patients who had planned or had already undergone breast surgery. All participants were asked to rank the attractiveness of a series of women’s breasts in images with different NAC position measurements. The images showed breasts from two different measurements and distances: all the breasts had equal dimensions and proportions and the same areola size. Complete datasets were obtained from 203 of the 300 board-certified plastic surgeons and residents of plastic surgery departments in German-speaking countries (recall 68%) and from 100 patients. The majority of doctors and patients find a symmetrical breast with a mirrored position of the nipple–areola complex more attractive than a non-symmetrical breast. In cases with minor measurement differences, such as 0.5 cm (SSN vs. MC), there is no relevant difference in the breast symmetry. However, at larger distances, the MC-to-nipple distance is superior for achieving aesthetically appealing symmetry compared with the SSN-to-nipple distance. Using the MC-to-nipple distance seems to be superior for correct nipple positioning than the SSN-to-nipple distance and is a valuable preoperative measurement option for breast symmetry with correct nipple height. Further studies on this topic involving a more general population should be conducted to confirm the improvements in perception with the preoperative measurements using the anatomical landmarks. |
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| language | English |
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| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
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| series | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-f4e0ab5099e74b84b10a56c4cbd3164f2023-11-17T16:57:55ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832023-03-01127249410.3390/jcm12072494How Useful Is the SSN–Nipple Distance? An Analytical Questionnaire Survey on Anthropometric Measurements for the Aesthetically Ideal Positioning of the Nipple–Areolar ComplexRafael Loucas0Marios Loucas1Sebastian Leitsch2Julius Michael Mayer3Andrea Alberti4Omar Haroon5Marlon Petrus6Konstantin Christoph Koban7Thomas Holzbach8Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery, Thurgau Hospital Group, 8500 Frauenfeld, SwitzerlandDepartment of Hand and Plastic Surgery, Thurgau Hospital Group, 8500 Frauenfeld, SwitzerlandDepartment of Hand and Plastic Surgery, Thurgau Hospital Group, 8500 Frauenfeld, SwitzerlandDepartment of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, 3010 Bern, SwitzerlandDepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6900 Lugano, SwitzerlandDepartment of Hand and Plastic Surgery, Thurgau Hospital Group, 8500 Frauenfeld, SwitzerlandDepartment of Hand and Plastic Surgery, Thurgau Hospital Group, 8500 Frauenfeld, SwitzerlandDivision of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital LMU Munich, 80339 Munich, GermanyDepartment of Hand and Plastic Surgery, Thurgau Hospital Group, 8500 Frauenfeld, SwitzerlandSeveral studies have attempted to identify the optimal anthropometric measurement for the aesthetically ideal positioning of the nipple–areolar complex. However, no standardised solutions and measurements for planning surgical procedures have been reached. The aim of this study is to identify the optimal anthropometric measurement between the suprasternal notch (SSN)–nipple distance and mid-clavicle (MC)–nipple distance for the aesthetic position of the nipple–areola complex (NAC) on the breast. A detailed online survey was sent to 300 board-certified plastic surgeons and residents of plastic surgery departments of hospitals in German, Austrian, and Swiss. A similar survey was also provided to 100 patients who had planned or had already undergone breast surgery. All participants were asked to rank the attractiveness of a series of women’s breasts in images with different NAC position measurements. The images showed breasts from two different measurements and distances: all the breasts had equal dimensions and proportions and the same areola size. Complete datasets were obtained from 203 of the 300 board-certified plastic surgeons and residents of plastic surgery departments in German-speaking countries (recall 68%) and from 100 patients. The majority of doctors and patients find a symmetrical breast with a mirrored position of the nipple–areola complex more attractive than a non-symmetrical breast. In cases with minor measurement differences, such as 0.5 cm (SSN vs. MC), there is no relevant difference in the breast symmetry. However, at larger distances, the MC-to-nipple distance is superior for achieving aesthetically appealing symmetry compared with the SSN-to-nipple distance. Using the MC-to-nipple distance seems to be superior for correct nipple positioning than the SSN-to-nipple distance and is a valuable preoperative measurement option for breast symmetry with correct nipple height. Further studies on this topic involving a more general population should be conducted to confirm the improvements in perception with the preoperative measurements using the anatomical landmarks.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/7/2494breastsymmetrynippleaesthetic breastmid-clavicle-to-nipple distancesuprasternal-notch-to-nipple distance |
| spellingShingle | Rafael Loucas Marios Loucas Sebastian Leitsch Julius Michael Mayer Andrea Alberti Omar Haroon Marlon Petrus Konstantin Christoph Koban Thomas Holzbach How Useful Is the SSN–Nipple Distance? An Analytical Questionnaire Survey on Anthropometric Measurements for the Aesthetically Ideal Positioning of the Nipple–Areolar Complex Journal of Clinical Medicine breast symmetry nipple aesthetic breast mid-clavicle-to-nipple distance suprasternal-notch-to-nipple distance |
| title | How Useful Is the SSN–Nipple Distance? An Analytical Questionnaire Survey on Anthropometric Measurements for the Aesthetically Ideal Positioning of the Nipple–Areolar Complex |
| title_full | How Useful Is the SSN–Nipple Distance? An Analytical Questionnaire Survey on Anthropometric Measurements for the Aesthetically Ideal Positioning of the Nipple–Areolar Complex |
| title_fullStr | How Useful Is the SSN–Nipple Distance? An Analytical Questionnaire Survey on Anthropometric Measurements for the Aesthetically Ideal Positioning of the Nipple–Areolar Complex |
| title_full_unstemmed | How Useful Is the SSN–Nipple Distance? An Analytical Questionnaire Survey on Anthropometric Measurements for the Aesthetically Ideal Positioning of the Nipple–Areolar Complex |
| title_short | How Useful Is the SSN–Nipple Distance? An Analytical Questionnaire Survey on Anthropometric Measurements for the Aesthetically Ideal Positioning of the Nipple–Areolar Complex |
| title_sort | how useful is the ssn nipple distance an analytical questionnaire survey on anthropometric measurements for the aesthetically ideal positioning of the nipple areolar complex |
| topic | breast symmetry nipple aesthetic breast mid-clavicle-to-nipple distance suprasternal-notch-to-nipple distance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/7/2494 |
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