Nipple discharge

 

1. To stop a discharge that is of no concern but is troublesome or unacceptable -

 

Such surgery can be performed under local anaesthetic or a short general anaesthetic and involves dividing and tying the ducts behind the nipple via a scar at the case of the nipple. You are unable to breast-feed after this operation.

 

 

2. Surgery to investigate the cause of a potentially suspicious nipple discharge -

 

This involves removing the duct from which the discharge is coming. This involves a scar around the edge of the areola (where the skin changes colour around the nipple). It is usually performed under general anaesthetic.