Iron Oxide Pigmentation of Skin Grafts without Tattooing

Abstract

Traditional techniques available for nipple-areolar reconstruction following post-oncologic breast surgery have relied upon medical grade tattooing of the construct. This has required from one to several postoperative procedures to achieve the desired coloration of the nipple-areolar complex. In an effort to achieve a more streamlined reconstructive program investigation of the possibility of immediate pigmentation of areolar skin grafts at the time of nipple areolar reconstruction was performed. Full-thickness skin grafts from the dorsal surface of rats were harvested. To the wound bed a known amount of sterile iron oxide pigment was applied and grafts re-sutured into place. Post-operatively graft take was noted and full-thickness biopsies obtained for microscopic study. All skin grafts lived. Coloration of the grafts was assessed as good. Histologic evaluation showed retention of pigment in the dermal wound interface. Immediate pigmentation of skin grafts in the model of this experiment proved safe and effective suggesting application in the clinical setting is warranted.