A C Rosen1, C Goh2, M E Lacouture3, B J Mehrara4, P G Cordeiro4, P L Myskowski3. 1. Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1600 NW 10th Ave, RMSB 2023A, Miami, FL 33139, USA. Electronic address: alyx.rosen@med.einstein.yu.edu. 2. Department of Medicine, Dermatology Division, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, UCLA Dermatology Center, Peter Morton Medical Building, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Ste 465, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. 3. Department of Medicine, Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 16 E 60th Street, New York, NY 10022, USA. 4. Department of Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 160 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Approximately one-third of women diagnosed with breast cancer undergo mastectomy with subsequent implant-based or autogenous tissue-based reconstruction. Potential complications include infection, capsular contracture, and leak or rupture of implants with necessity for explantation. Skin rashes are infrequently described complications of patients who undergo mastectomy with or without reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of breast cancer patients referred to the Dermatology Service for diagnosis and management of a rash post-mastectomy and expander or implant placement or transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction was performed. Parameters studied included reconstruction types, time to onset, clinical presentation, associated symptoms, results of microbiologic studies, management, and outcome. RESULTS: We describe 21 patients who developed a rash on the skin overlying a breast reconstruction. Average time to onset was 25.7 months after expander placement or TRAM flap reconstruction. Clinical presentations included macules and papules or scaly, erythematous patches and plaques. Five patients had cultures of the rash, which were all negative. Skin biopsy was relatively contraindicated in areas of skin tension, and was reserved for non-responding eruptions. Treatments included topical corticosteroids and topical antibiotics, which resulted in complete or partial responses in all patients with documented follow-ups. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that tension and post-surgical factors play a causal role in this hitherto undescribed entity: "post-reconstruction dermatitis of the breast." This is a manageable condition that develops weeks to years following breast reconstruction. Topical corticosteroids and antibiotics result in restoration of skin barrier integrity and decreased secondary infection.
BACKGROUND: Approximately one-third of women diagnosed with breast cancer undergo mastectomy with subsequent implant-based or autogenous tissue-based reconstruction. Potential complications include infection, capsular contracture, and leak or rupture of implants with necessity for explantation. Skin rashes are infrequently described complications of patients who undergo mastectomy with or without reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of breast cancerpatients referred to the Dermatology Service for diagnosis and management of a rash post-mastectomy and expander or implant placement or transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction was performed. Parameters studied included reconstruction types, time to onset, clinical presentation, associated symptoms, results of microbiologic studies, management, and outcome. RESULTS: We describe 21 patients who developed a rash on the skin overlying a breast reconstruction. Average time to onset was 25.7 months after expander placement or TRAM flap reconstruction. Clinical presentations included macules and papules or scaly, erythematous patches and plaques. Five patients had cultures of the rash, which were all negative. Skin biopsy was relatively contraindicated in areas of skin tension, and was reserved for non-responding eruptions. Treatments included topical corticosteroids and topical antibiotics, which resulted in complete or partial responses in all patients with documented follow-ups. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that tension and post-surgical factors play a causal role in this hitherto undescribed entity: "post-reconstruction dermatitis of the breast." This is a manageable condition that develops weeks to years following breast reconstruction. Topical corticosteroids and antibiotics result in restoration of skin barrier integrity and decreased secondary infection.
Authors: Colleen M McCarthy; Babak J Mehrara; Elyn Riedel; Kristen Davidge; Akili Hinson; Joseph J Disa; Peter G Cordeiro; Andrea L Pusic Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Date: 2008-06 Impact factor: 4.730