Surgical treatment of complications resulting from adjuvant radiotherapy: a case report

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among malignancies affecting women. Treatment options range from surgical treatment, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. The immediate breast reconstruction helps to benefit the psychosocial aspects of patients, however, depend on the technique used a number of complications can appear, especially after adjuvant radiotherapy. Case report: We report a case of a 65-year-old woman, underwent quadrantectomy and radiotherapy in 1988. In 2010, the patient presented an injury on the scar and she was referred to mastectomy with reconstruction of retail large dorsal and adjuvant radiotherapy. Upon examination, we observed flap necrosis with infection on the axillary region, lymphedema, radiodermatitis, fibroses and joint limitation. In 2014, the patient sought our service to perform a new restorative approach. A bipedicled transverse abdominal flap was decided to be adequate to her case. After surgery, the patient reported mild pain in the upper pole that managed with debridement and dressing. Seven months after surgery there was a complete healing of the flap and patient was satisfied with the surgery. Conclusion: The knowledge of surgical techniques associated with the correct scaling of steps are essential for surgical success and management of complications that may appear in breast reconstruction of patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Keywords:
Mammaplasty; Radiotherapy; Breast neoplasms; Postoperative complications.