A rare approach? Microsurgical breast reconstruction after severe burns

Breast deformity, in post-burn patients, is a common problem leading to lower self-esteem and reclusive behavior that impairs quality of life. The authors present the course of treatment of an 18-year-old immigrant girl who suffered second- to third-degree burns over approximately 20% of her total b...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Laurenz Weitgasser, Ali Bahsoun, Amro Amr, Michael Brandstetter, Friedrich Knam, Thomas Schoeller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc. 2018-03-01
Series:Archives of Plastic Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.5999/aps.2017.01039
Description
Summary:Breast deformity, in post-burn patients, is a common problem leading to lower self-esteem and reclusive behavior that impairs quality of life. The authors present the course of treatment of an 18-year-old immigrant girl who suffered second- to third-degree burns over approximately 20% of her total body surface area in her early childhood. The second- to third-degree burns were located on her right trunk and abdomen, as well as her right shoulder, neck, and right groin area. Since it was not offered in her home country, reconstructive surgery, including microsurgical breast reconstruction, was sought abroad. Due to the lack of available skin and soft tissue, a bilateral breast reconstruction with free transverse myocutaneous gracilis flaps was offered. This case illustrates one method of using microsurgery to address post-burn breast deformities in order to alleviate psychological suffering and improve quality of life.
ISSN:2234-6163
2234-6171