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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
12:18
A Murine Model of a Burn Wound Reconstructed with an Allogeneic Skin Graft
Published on: August 8, 2020
Second- and third-degree burns as a complication in breast reconstruction
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Patients undergoing breast reconstruction experienced burns due to lack of sensation. Aggressive wound care ensured healing without skin grafts, highlighting the need for patient education to prevent this complication.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Burn Management
Background:
- Breast reconstruction using tissue expansion, latissimus dorsi flaps, and transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flaps is a common procedure.
- These reconstructive techniques can alter or eliminate sensation in the breast and abdominal areas.
- Altered sensation poses a risk for iatrogenic injury, including thermal injury.
Observation:
- Over five years, 10 patients developed second- or third-degree burns post-breast reconstruction.
- Burns occurred on reconstructed breasts (tissue expansion, latissimus dorsi, TRAM flaps) and abdomens (TRAM flaps).
- The common etiological factor identified was the lack of normal sensation in the surgical areas.
Findings:
- The primary cause of burns in these patients was diminished or absent sensation.
- All burns, despite severity, healed successfully with aggressive wound care.
- No patients required skin grafting for burn healing, indicating effective management strategies.
Implications:
- Patient education regarding altered sensation and burn prevention is crucial pre- and post-operatively.
- Prompt and aggressive wound care can lead to successful healing of burns in reconstructed areas.
- Understanding the risk factors associated with sensory changes is vital for minimizing complications in breast reconstruction surgery.
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