The peri-areolar incision—gateway to the breast!

Background: In breast surgery the challenge for good cosmesis needs to be met in the management of benign or malignant disease. With tumours this must be balanced against good clearance with safe and adequate margins. For excision of benign lesions obvious deforming scars are unacceptable while with breast preserving cancer surgery a badly placed scar reduces reconstructive choices. The peri-areolar incision has a role in skin sparing mastectomy (SSM) and in breast conserving surgery. This paper describes the application of this incision in breast surgery. Methods: Patients undergoing breast surgery for benign and malignant disease have undergone operations using a peri-areolar incision. Examples of use of this incision are shown. Conclusion: The peri-areolar incision provides good cosmesis while allowing for future or immediate reconstruction and without reducing the range of options.