Rib cage deformity during two-stage tissue expander breast reconstruction in patient with previous radiotherapy: a case report

Abstract

Patients undergoing two-stage breast reconstruction with tissue expander and a history of previous irradiation are predisposed to a various chest-wall deformations more than non-irradiated patients. If chest-wall depression with/without rib fracture is found intra-operatively, bigger implant should be used, with a subsequent radiologic evaluation. In the future, the development of a new, modified expander with a harder base could minimise such complications.

Keywords

• Radiotherapy
• rib cage deformity
• tissue expander
• CT scan.