Anthropometric Measurement for the Nipple Areola Complex

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Although the demand for the mammoplasty including reduction or reconstruction is remarkably increasing, the anthropometric measurement for the breast, especially about the nipple areola complex(NAC) of Korean women has not been reported recently. Therefore, the anthropometric measurement about the NAC was performed to suggest the standard size of NAC for Korean women. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty five female volunteers in 20's through 50's were included for the study. Questionnaires including the diameter of NAC, the diameter, height of nipple, age, marital status, delivery and lactation history were distributed to the volunteers and collected. RESULTS: The mean values of our study are as follows the areola diameter is 30.93+/-10.07mm, the nipple diameter is 10.21+/-4.14mm and the height of nipple is 6.54+/-3.74mm. The diameter of nipple areola complex(NAC) is bigger in old ages. If the volunteers have the history of marriage, delivery and lactation, it is bigger, as well. The height of nipple closely related to individual characters except the correlation between height of nipple and age. CONCLUSION: It is important to have standard data for the nipple areola complex in order to have good aesthetic results of mammoplasty. Despite the importance, there are a few measurement data for the nipple areola complex(NAC) of Korean women. The result of our study is not the absolute parameter for breast surgery, however it can be used as the standard size for NAC in the Korean female during breast surger