Dr Evan Woo
Senior Consultant Breast and Plastic Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery), MRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS (Plastic Surgery)
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery), MRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS (Plastic Surgery)
Your Guide to Nipple Sensory Preservation and Restoration
For many years, loss of nipple sensation was considered an unavoidable consequence of mastectomy. Today, advances in breast cancer surgery and reconstruction have made nipple sensory preservation possible for carefully selected patients.
As part of his integrated approach to breast cancer surgery and reconstruction, Dr Evan Woo offers nipple sensory preservation for suitable patients undergoing nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction.
Understanding Nipple Sensory Preservation
What is Nipple Sensory Preservation?
Nipple sensory preservation is an advanced surgical technique performed during selected nipple-sparing mastectomies with immediate breast reconstruction.Unlike conventional breast reconstruction, which primarily focuses on restoring breast shape, nipple sensory preservation also aims to preserve or restore sensation to the nipple and surrounding breast where clinically appropriate.
During a traditional mastectomy, the sensory nerves supplying the nipple are usually divided when the breast tissue is removed, often resulting in significant or permanent numbness. With nipple sensory preservation, these nerves may be carefully preserved or reconstructed using microsurgical techniques during breast reconstruction, allowing the nerves the opportunity to regenerate over time.
During a traditional mastectomy, the sensory nerves supplying the nipple are usually divided when the breast tissue is removed, often resulting in significant or permanent numbness. With nipple sensory preservation, these nerves may be carefully preserved or reconstructed using microsurgical techniques during breast reconstruction, allowing the nerves the opportunity to regenerate over time.
Potential Benefits & Outcomes
Why Consider Nipple Sensory Preservation?
Beyond removing breast cancer and restoring breast shape, nipple sensory preservation aims to improve how the reconstructed breast feels after surgery. For suitable patients, preserving or restoring sensation may contribute to both physical function and long-term quality of life.
Preserving Nipple Sensation
By preserving or reconstructing the nerves supplying the nipple, this technique may allow selected patients to regain partial or meaningful nipple sensation following surgery. While outcomes vary between individuals, it offers possibilities that were not previously available with conventional mastectomy.
Restoring Both Form and Function
Traditional breast reconstruction focuses primarily on restoring the breast's appearance. Nipple sensory preservation extends this approach by considering both breast shape and sensory function as part of a comprehensive reconstruction plan.
Performed as a Single Operation
When appropriate, nipple sensory preservation is incorporated into the same operation as nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction, avoiding the need for a separate procedure.
Understanding Your Suitability
Is Nipple Sensory Preservation Suitable for Me?
Although this technique represents an important advancement in breast cancer surgery, it is suitable only for carefully selected patients. Before recommending this procedure, Dr Evan Woo performs a comprehensive assessment to determine whether preservation of the nipple and reconstruction of the sensory nerves can be achieved safely without compromising cancer treatment.
Factors considered include:
While nipple sensory preservation offers promising possibilities, oncological safety remains the highest priority. If preserving the nipple or surrounding nerves could compromise complete cancer removal, alternative surgical approaches will be recommended.
Every Breast Cancer Diagnosis Is Unique.
Dr Evan Woo carefully evaluates each patient's condition to determine whether nipple sensory preservation can be safely incorporated into their treatment plan.
What to Expect
How Is Nipple Sensory Preservation Performed?
Nipple sensory preservation is performed as part of a nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction. The procedure requires close collaboration between breast cancer surgery, reconstructive surgery and microsurgical nerve techniques to preserve or restore nipple sensation where clinically appropriate.
| Stage | What Happens |
| Assessment and Surgical Planning | Before surgery, Dr Evan Woo reviews your breast imaging, biopsy results and treatment plan to determine whether nipple sensory preservation is appropriate. Factors such as tumour location, breast anatomy and the planned method of breast reconstruction are carefully assessed to ensure the technique can be performed safely. |
| Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy | The breast tissue is removed while preserving the breast skin, nipple and areola. During this stage, the sensory nerves supplying the nipple are carefully identified where possible. If preserving these nerves would compromise complete cancer removal, they are not retained. |
| Immediate Breast Reconstruction | Breast reconstruction is performed immediately after the mastectomy using either implants or your own tissue, depending on your treatment plan. Performing reconstruction during the same operation allows nerve-preservation or nerve-reconstruction techniques to be incorporated where appropriate. |
| Nerve Preservation or Reconstruction | Where clinically appropriate, the preserved nerves are kept intact or reconstructed using microsurgical techniques to reconnect the sensory pathway to the nipple. Over time, the nerves may regenerate and sensation may gradually return, although the degree of sensory recovery varies between individuals. |
Assessment and Surgical Planning
Before surgery, Dr Evan Woo reviews your breast imaging, biopsy results and treatment plan to determine whether nipple sensory preservation is appropriate. Factors such as tumour location, breast anatomy and the planned method of breast reconstruction are carefully assessed to ensure the technique can be performed safely.
Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
The breast tissue is removed while preserving the breast skin, nipple and areola. During this stage, the sensory nerves supplying the nipple are carefully identified where possible. If preserving these nerves would compromise complete cancer removal, they are not retained.
Immediate Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction is performed immediately after the mastectomy using either implants or your own tissue, depending on your treatment plan. Performing reconstruction during the same operation allows nerve-preservation or nerve-reconstruction techniques to be incorporated where appropriate.
Nerve Preservation or Reconstruction
Where clinically appropriate, the preserved nerves are kept intact or reconstructed using microsurgical techniques to reconnect the sensory pathway to the nipple. Over time, the nerves may regenerate and sensation may gradually return, although the degree of sensory recovery varies between individuals.
Every Detail Matters When Restoring Both Form and Function.
Dr Evan Woo offers nipple sensory preservation as part of a carefully planned treatment journey for selected patients.
Post-Surgery Recovery
Recovery After
Nipple Sensory Preservation
Recovery following nipple sensory preservation is generally similar to that of nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction. While your surgical wounds begin healing immediately after the operation, nerve recovery occurs much more gradually and requires patience.
| Recovery Stage | What to Expect |
| Hospital Recovery | Depending on the type of reconstruction performed, you may return home within a few days after surgery. During this time, your surgical team monitors wound healing, blood supply to the reconstructed breast and your overall recovery. |
| Wound Healing and Activity | You will receive personalised instructions on wound care, drain management where required, and gradually returning to normal daily activities. Attending your follow-up appointments allows your recovery to be monitored closely. |
| Nerve Regeneration | Unlike the surgical wounds, sensory nerves regenerate slowly. If sensation returns, it typically develops gradually over several months as the repaired nerves recover. Some patients may continue noticing improvements for up to one to two years after surgery. |
| Ongoing Follow-up | Regular follow-up appointments allow Dr Evan Woo to monitor your surgical recovery, assess any gradual return of sensation and ensure your breast reconstruction continues to heal as expected. |
Hospital Recovery
Depending on the type of reconstruction performed, you may return home within a few days after surgery. During this time, your surgical team monitors wound healing, blood supply to the reconstructed breast and your overall recovery.
Wound Healing and Activity
You will receive personalised instructions on wound care, drain management where required, and gradually returning to normal daily activities. Attending your follow-up appointments allows your recovery to be monitored closely.
Nerve Regeneration
Unlike the surgical wounds, sensory nerves regenerate slowly. If sensation returns, it typically develops gradually over several months as the repaired nerves recover. Some patients may continue noticing improvements for up to one to two years after surgery.
Ongoing Follow-up
Regular follow-up appointments allow Dr Evan Woo to monitor your surgical recovery, assess any gradual return of sensation and ensure your breast reconstruction continues to heal as expected.
Understanding the Risks
Risks and Potential Complications of Nipple Sensory Preservation
As with any breast reconstruction, there are also risks related to wound healing, infection, bleeding and reconstruction-specific complications, which will be discussed during your consultation. While the general risks of nipple-sparing mastectomy and breast reconstruction still apply, there are additional considerations related to nerve preservation and sensory recovery.
These may include temporary changes in breast or nipple sensation, delayed nerve regeneration, or incomplete return of nipple sensation. Dr Woo carefully evaluates every patient to determine whether nipple sensory preservation can be performed safely and discusses the potential risks during treatment planning.
These may include temporary changes in breast or nipple sensation, delayed nerve regeneration, or incomplete return of nipple sensation. Dr Woo carefully evaluates every patient to determine whether nipple sensory preservation can be performed safely and discusses the potential risks during treatment planning.
Trusted Breast Surgeon Expertise
Why Patients Choose
Dr Evan Woo for Nipple Sensory Preservation
An Integrated Approach to Breast Cancer Surgery
Nipple sensory preservation is considered as part of the overall surgical plan rather than as a separate procedure. By performing both the breast cancer surgery and reconstruction, Dr Evan Woo is able to integrate cancer treatment, breast restoration and sensory preservation from the outset.
Advanced Microsurgical Expertise
Nipple sensory preservation requires meticulous microsurgical techniques to preserve or reconstruct the nerves supplying the nipple. Dr Woo's fellowship training in microsurgery supports the precision required for these advanced reconstructive procedures.
A Comprehensive Reconstructive Approach
Modern breast reconstruction focuses on more than restoring breast shape. Where clinically appropriate, nipple sensory preservation aims to preserve or restore an important aspect of breast function alongside reconstruction.
Expertise in Breast Cancer and Aesthetic Surgery
In addition to breast cancer surgery and reconstruction, Dr Woo performs a full range of aesthetic breast procedures. This breadth of expertise allows reconstructive and aesthetic principles to be considered throughout your care where appropriate.
Your Journey Starts Here
Nipple Sensory Preservation at Evan Woo Plastic Surgery
Nipple sensory preservation represents an important advancement in breast cancer surgery by considering not only the successful treatment of cancer, but also the long-term function of the reconstructed breast. While it is not suitable for every patient, careful patient selection and meticulous surgical planning may allow this technique to be incorporated safely where appropriate.
At Evan Woo Plastic Surgery, nipple sensory preservation is offered as part of an integrated approach to breast cancer surgery and immediate breast reconstruction. Dr Evan Woo will assess your suitability, explain the expected benefits and limitations of the procedure, and develop a personalised treatment plan based on your diagnosis and individual goals. Schedule a consultation with Dr Woo to discuss your suitability for nipple sensory preservation and receive a personalised treatment plan.
Helpful Information
FAQs About Nipple Sensory Preservation
Will I regain normal nipple sensation after surgery?
Nipple sensory preservation may improve the possibility of retaining or regaining nipple sensation, but the degree of recovery varies between individuals. Some patients regain meaningful sensation, while others experience partial recovery or remain numb. Because nerves regenerate slowly, the final outcome may not become apparent until many months after surgery.
Who is suitable for nipple sensory preservation?
The procedure is suitable only for selected patients undergoing nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction. Suitability depends on factors such as the size and location of the cancer, whether the nipple can be safely preserved and your overall treatment plan.
Is nipple sensory preservation performed separately from breast reconstruction?
No. Nipple sensory preservation is performed during the same operation as nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. The nerves are preserved or reconstructed while the breast is being reconstructed, avoiding the need for a separate procedure.
How long does it take for sensation to return?
If sensation returns, it usually develops gradually over several months as the repaired nerves regenerate. Some patients continue noticing improvements for up to one to two years after surgery.
Is nipple sensory preservation safe?
For appropriately selected patients, nipple sensory preservation can be performed safely without compromising the primary goal of complete cancer removal. Dr Woo carefully assesses every patient to determine whether the technique is appropriate based on their diagnosis and treatment plan.
Experience You Can Rely On
Our Breast Surgeon
Experience You Can Rely On
Our Breast Surgeon
Dr Evan Woo
Senior Consultant Breast and Plastic Surgeon
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, National University of Singapore
- Master of Medicine (Surgery), National University of Singapore
- Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- Fellow, Academy of Medicine, Singapore (Plastic Surgery)
Dr Evan Woo is a specialist plastic, reconstructive and breast surgeon with a focused practice in breast cancer surgery, breast reconstruction and aesthetic breast surgery. Having completed a Microsurgery Fellowship at the Nottingham Breast Institute in the United Kingdom, he offers advanced reconstructive techniques that support both breast restoration and long-term function following breast cancer treatment.
As one of the few surgeons in Singapore who performs both breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction, Dr Woo is able to integrate nipple sensory preservation into carefully selected treatment plans where clinically appropriate. His combined expertise allows cancer treatment, breast reconstruction and nerve-preservation techniques to be planned together, giving suitable patients access to one of the latest advances in breast cancer surgery.
