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Bilateral pneumothoraces complicating reduction mammoplasty: a case report.
Stylianos Mavridis1, Hans Georg Gnauk, Martina Schumacher
1Vascular and Thoracic Surgery Department, Ernst von Bergmann Clinic, Charlottenstraße 72, Potsdam, 14467, Germany. stelios.mavridis@gmail.com
BMC Surgery
|July 30, 2013
Summary
Bilateral pneumothoraces, a rare complication of cosmetic breast surgery, occurred in a patient after reduction mammoplasty. This case highlights a unique instance of this adverse event following elective breast surgery.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Medical Complications
Background:
- Bilateral pneumothoraces are infrequently documented after cosmetic breast augmentation procedures.
- Existing literature contains limited reports on this specific surgical complication.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old female patient presented with bilateral pneumothoraces post-bilateral breast reduction surgery.
- The patient underwent emergent bilateral chest tube thoracostomy for treatment.
- Hospitalization lasted 7 days, with chest drains removed on day 4 (left) and day 6 (right).
Findings:
- The patient experienced a rare complication of bilateral pneumothoraces following reduction mammoplasty.
- No further complications were noted during the patient's recovery and discharge.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for rare but serious respiratory complications after elective cosmetic breast surgery.
- Increased awareness among surgeons may aid in the early recognition and management of such events.
- Further investigation into risk factors and preventative strategies for pneumothorax after mammoplasty is warranted.
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