Custom-made approach to a patient with post-burn breast deformity

Burn injuries sustained during preadolescence can lead to long-term breast deformities. These deformations vary based on burn severity, location, and treatment. Traditional surgical techniques may not fully address complex cases involving contractures and asymmetry. While general reconstructive methods exist, they often fail to correct unique deformations caused by burns or trauma. Prior research has shown that standard approaches may not restore symmetry or function in such cases. No prior work had resolved the issue of customized surgical planning for post-burn deformities. This gap motivated the development of tailored surgical strategies. The need for individualized treatment plans remains unmet in current literature.

This case study aimed to present a customized surgical approach for correcting post-burn breast deformity. The specific problem addressed was asymmetry and contracture in an adult patient who had sustained burns as a preadolescent. The motivation was to demonstrate how tailored surgical planning can restore symmetry and aesthetics. The study focused on a 21-year-old female with right breast contracture due to burn injury. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified vertical mammaplasty technique. The approach combined flap transposition and skin laxity correction. The study sought to document postoperative outcomes and patient satisfaction. The goal was to provide a model for similar complex deformities.

The surgical approach involved a customized planning process based on patient-specific anatomy. The inferior pole of the right breast was flattened due to burn contracture. A vertical mammaplasty-like plan was adapted to the patient’s unique deformity. A superior pedicle carrying the nipple-areola complex was desepitelized. A lower parenchymal V flap was transposed and attached to the pectoral muscle. Inferior glandular flaps were excised to form a new inframammary crease. A Z-plasty was performed between lateral and medial skin flaps to achieve skin laxity. Postoperative measurements confirmed symmetry and aesthetic improvement.

Postoperative objective measurements showed symmetry between the right and left breasts. The new inframammary crease was successfully repositioned to match the left side. Nipple projection was corrected to a superior position. The patient reported high satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome. Skin laxity was achieved through the Z-plasty technique. Flap transposition contributed to volume restoration in the lower pole. The surgical plan effectively addressed the contracture and asymmetry. The customized approach proved successful in this complex case.

The authors propose that customized surgical planning is essential for complex post-burn deformities. Traditional techniques may not restore symmetry in such cases. This approach successfully corrected contracture and asymmetry in the patient. The method combined flap transposition and skin laxity correction. The surgical plan was tailored to the patient’s specific anatomy. The results suggest that individualized strategies can improve outcomes. The authors suggest that similar cases may benefit from this approach. No prior work had resolved the issue of customized planning for post-burn deformities.