Hello, I had a double mastectomy and one side has not healed. The skin died, leaving me with a huge hole in my chest. My doctor has continued to cut away the dead skin and flesh but I am worried that he is out of options. Am I eligible for a flap and skin graft? what happens if the area isn't healthy enough for those?
June 29, 2015
Answer: Mastectomy skin loss Wound healing problems following mastectomy are not uncommon. Initially, the best options are to do dressing changes or to use a negative pressure wound closure device (like a Vac). In some cases, your surgeon may want to refer you to a local wound clinic. Otherwise, local rotation flaps (like a latissimus dorsi) can be used to close the defect. Skin grafts are not traditionally used on the breast. Best of luck in your recovery.
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June 29, 2015
Answer: Mastectomy skin loss Wound healing problems following mastectomy are not uncommon. Initially, the best options are to do dressing changes or to use a negative pressure wound closure device (like a Vac). In some cases, your surgeon may want to refer you to a local wound clinic. Otherwise, local rotation flaps (like a latissimus dorsi) can be used to close the defect. Skin grafts are not traditionally used on the breast. Best of luck in your recovery.
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June 29, 2015
Answer: Mastectomy Loss of skin after mastectomy can be treated very effectively.it is important to have the wound cleaned of all the dead tissue, debridement. Also no infection.Then the treatment options are several1: conservative wound care with wound VAC, and that will take 6-12 weeks to heal2: If the tissue is healing well and no infection a skin graft would close the wound3: best is to have no infection. Then debride all dead tissue and close with flap. either a TRAM flap or a Latissmuss Dorsi flap. On the long run a flap coverage is best and allow for future breast reconstruction if desired. Consultation with a Board Certified Plastic surgeon can resolve the issue fairly quickly
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June 29, 2015
Answer: Mastectomy Loss of skin after mastectomy can be treated very effectively.it is important to have the wound cleaned of all the dead tissue, debridement. Also no infection.Then the treatment options are several1: conservative wound care with wound VAC, and that will take 6-12 weeks to heal2: If the tissue is healing well and no infection a skin graft would close the wound3: best is to have no infection. Then debride all dead tissue and close with flap. either a TRAM flap or a Latissmuss Dorsi flap. On the long run a flap coverage is best and allow for future breast reconstruction if desired. Consultation with a Board Certified Plastic surgeon can resolve the issue fairly quickly
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