The factitious wound: plastic surgeon beware

Plastic surgeons are frequently consulted for the management of chronic problem wounds, usually after other physicians' efforts have failed. This makes them vulnerable to those patients who feign, produce, or perpetuate their wounds because of underlying psychopathology or attempts at secondary gain. Three cases of factitious wounds, all seen in a plastic surgery practice, are presented. These cases are analyzed in the context of the literature published on this subject. They exemplify this condition and clearly demonstrate the common features of this type of patient. Despite the relevance of this problem and its economic, social, and possible legal implications, very little is published about it in the surgical literature.