Burn after breast reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
Burns occur rarely after breast reconstruction, and results from loss of sensory and thermoregulatory skin functions. We aimed to investigate the pathophysiological processes leading to these injuries.


METHODS
Cases described in the literature are reviewed and discussed. Three cases of burn complicating the outcome of two implants and one autologous breast reconstruction are newly reported.


CONCLUSIONS
The ineffectiveness of skin thermoregulatory reflexes, caused by different surgical procedures, plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of burns to reconstructed breasts; tissue expansion and radiotherapy are also essential aetiological factors.
Delfino
Sergio
S
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Campus Bio-Medico University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. s.delfino@unicampus.it
Brunetti
Beniamino
B
Toto
Vito
V
Persichetti
Paolo
P
D000328:Adult; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D001940:Breast / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D018427:Breast Implants; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013471:Sunburn / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome