Management of radiation necrosis of the chest wall following mastectomy: a new treatment option.
A technique for covering areas of osteoradionecrosis in the medial aspect of the chest wall has been described. Utilizing a tissue expander, the skin was stretched sufficiently to obtain a suitable length whereby the medial defect could be covered and the donor site closed primarily. Such an operative approach should be considered when the patient presents with a medially located ulcer of small to moderate size and when nonirradiated skin is regionally available. Using this technique, long myocutaneous flaps that require extensive dissection, loss of functioning muscle, and resulting donor defects are avoided.
R W
RW
MacMillan
J D
JD
Arias
J W
JW
Stayman
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012272:Ribs / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000379:methods*