| Literature DB >> 21873130 |
Srinivasan Iyer1, Amit Pabari, Christopher T Khoo.
Abstract
It is estimated that worldwide, 16 million people, aged 15-64 years inject illicit drugs regularly. When peripheral venous access becomes obliterated, drug users start injecting into the subdermal area of the skin - "skin popping". When this area ulcerates, the well vascularised granulation tissue called a "shooter's patch" is maintained as a portal for continuing injection. These "shooter's patches" are usually on the limbs, but have been reported on the breast and the penis. We present a case of a reconstructive muscle flap being used in an unforeseen manner as a shooters patch. Surgeons rely on muscle flaps to provide a robust reconstructive option, but we have learnt that drug users value them for their rich vascularity and high absorption. Copyright ÂEntities:
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Year: 2011 PMID: 21873130 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2011.08.015
Source DB: PubMed Journal: J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg ISSN: 1748-6815 Impact factor: 2.740