Breast rupture: presentation, diagnosis and treatment of two cases

• Published in: Annales de chirurgie plastique et esthétique Vol. 56; no. 4; pp. 329 - 333
• Main Authors: Scevola, A, Viard, R, Veber, M, Toussoun, G, Delay, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01-08-2011
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic; Breast - injuries; Breast - pathology; Breast - surgery; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Mammaplasty - methods; Middle Aged; Rupture - diagnosis; Rupture - etiology; Rupture - surgery; Seat Belts - adverse effects; Treatment Outcome; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - diagnosis; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - etiology; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - surgery
• ISSN: 1768-319X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anplas.2011.01.005

Breast rupture is an uncommon event that has become more frequent from the 1980s, with the generalisation of the seat belt, so that we can now speak of seat belt related injuries. The trauma is often forgotten and leaves a fibrous band in the breast as only mark. In this way, the breast can be deformed by the scar as much as the retraction is important. The clinical presentation can mime that of a breast cancer, so it is really important to do an echography and a mammography of the lesion. If some dilemma remains, IRM or core biopsy can be helpful.
We report two cases of breast rupture. A breast cancer has been excluded with echography and mammography. We performed a reduction mammoplasty, with inverted T scars, conserving a posterior glandular flap. We will present the observations in the article.
A breast trauma often leads to haematomas, necrosis of fat and lipid cyst formation. Typically, these lesions are located in regard to the passage of the seat belt on the thorax. The surgical treatment should correct an oblique deformation. It is important to excise all the fibrous tissue and to reharmonize the glandular content. Moreover, in the accidentally discovered forms, one should take in mind the vascular damage determined by the lesions and be able to recognise its presentation before the operation.
Breast rupture is a rare situation that should be known. The treatment is simple and consists in excising the fibrous tissue and replacing it with a well-vascularised tissue. The posterior glandular flap is a helpful tool in these situations.