Pyoderma gangrenosum following reduction mammoplasty: a case report

ABSTRACT

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an inflammatory neutrophilic dermatosis of unknown etiology and is idiopathic in 25%- 50% cases. In approximately 50% of PG cases, an association with systemic diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, monoclonal gammopathies, seropositive arthritis, collagenosis, Behcet’s disease, Wegener’s granulomatosis, and myeloproliferative and infectious diseases (mainly hepatitis and AIDS), has been described. Clinically, PG presents four variants: ulcerated, bullous, vegetative, and pustular. The most frequent form is ulcerative, which begins as a papule or nodule and evolves rapidly into ulcerated and painful lesions. In approximately 25% of PG cases, the onset of new lesions can be triggered by traumas such as insect bites, intravenous injections, and biopsy, a phenomenon known as pathergy. Here, we present a case of extensive PG of the breasts following reductive mammoplasty surgery. It was a difficult case to diagnose and was initiated in the postoperative period of another service. Due to the breakdown of the doctor-patient relationship, the patient approached us for assistance. The patient showed an excellent response to corticotherapy (intra and perilesional corticotherapy with triamcinolone) during debridement and oral steroid (prednisone) therapy in the weaning phase.

Keywords:
Pyoderma gangrenosum; Mammoplasty; Reconstructive surgical procedures; Postoperative complications; Physician-patient relationship