INTRODUCTION
Steatonecrosis is a common benign condition that may be asymptomatic or may
manifest as a palpable mass, pain, or associated findings, such as skin
thickening or nipple retraction. Steatonecrosis can have several mammographic
aspects. Common and characteristic findings are circumscribed radiolucent masses
or mixed density masses with fat and soft tissues, with or without a calcified
border; these masses are known as lipid or oily cysts1,2 (Figure 1).
Figura 1 - Magnetic resonance image of the right breast with areas of
steatonecrosis.
Figura 1 - Magnetic resonance image of the right breast with areas of
steatonecrosis.
These are observed after any breast trauma, including surgery. Steatonecrosis is
commonly observed after nodule resection and radiotherapy for breast carcinoma
and after extensive surgery3. It is a
complication that occurs frequently during breast surgeries, especially in
breast reconstructions and in the conservative surgeries or TRAM. Steatonecrosis
is initially characterized by hardening of the tissue that may develop into a
nodule of different sizes in any mammary region with oily cysts and fibrosis.
This condition is a constant concern for the patients, oncologists,
mastologists, and plastic surgeon, due to the possibility of tumor
recurrence.
Pathology
The initial change is the disruption of fat cells, where vacuoles with the
remains of necrotic fat cells are formed, as observed under a microscope.
The cells then become surrounded by lipid-laden macrophages, multinucleated
giant cells, and acute inflammatory cells. Fibrosis develops during the
repair phase, peripherally enclosing a possibly palpable area of necrotic
fat and cellular debris at the surgical site. Fibrosis may eventually
replace the degenerated fat area by a scar or the degenerated fat may
persist for years within a fibrotic scar4,5 (Figure 2).
Figure 2 - Magnetic resonance image of the left breast with an area of
steatonecrosis and an area of fibrosis (measured).
Figure 2 - Magnetic resonance image of the left breast with an area of
steatonecrosis and an area of fibrosis (measured).
Radiological Findings
The density and spicules, common in recent extensive surgeries associated
with radiotherapy, disappear or become radiolucent and circumscribed nodules
(oily cysts; Figure 3) over a variable
period of time, lasting up to 4 years. In addition, amorphous and
nonspecific calcifications become more peripheral and coarse. Coarse
calcifications associated with steatonecrosis should be described as
dystrophic6-9.
Figura 3 - Magnetic resonance image of the right breast with areas of
steatonecrosis and fatty cysts.
Figura 3 - Magnetic resonance image of the right breast with areas of
steatonecrosis and fatty cysts.
In subcicritrial recurrence, the mammographic findings become more suspicious
compared to previous examinations. The density of the tissue and the number
of spicules and/or amorphous calcifications increase10,11.
The markings of the surgical scar by appropriate radiopaque marker may be
useful for the spatial correlation between the mammographic findings and the
scar. The linear radiopaque marker is usually standardized for surgical
scarring in the breast12.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an alternative technique for the treatment of steatonecrosis after
aesthetic and reconstructive mammoplasty.
METHODS
The medical records of the patients admitted for breast surgery, either for the
treatment of breast neoplasia and adjuvant therapies or cosmetic surgery, during
the period of 2012-2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who developed
steatonecrosis and were treated by liposuction, similar to the technique
performed by orthopedists for the treatment of bone necrosis, were
included.1,2
All patients signed an informed consent form authorizing the use of their records
and information about their treatment, as well as their photographs and
examination findings for scientific purposes.
The data analyzed included the characteristics of the skin (deformities),
previous surgeries performed, and the aesthetic results associated with the
surgical technique for the alternative treatment of steatonecrosis.
The treatment of steatonecrosis was defined by the plastic surgeon, preceptor
author, inspired by the technique of bone perforation for the treatment of bone
necrosis, performed by orthopedics (forage)1,2. A lipped
aspiration cannula was developed for the treatment of hydroadenitis and
hyperhidrosis. It was decided to experiment with the perforation and aspiration
of steatonecroses which are develop frequently in mammary reconstructions and
mammoplasties.
We delimited the area of necrosis (Figure 4), and after routine infiltration of the region, we introduced the
cannula inside the necrotic nodule and made several perforations with it; the
cannula was connected to the liposuction device, which sucked part of the
necrotic tissue and the surrounding oily contents that eventually develop into
cysts in these nodules.
Figura 4 - Preoperative markings for liposuction.
Figura 4 - Preoperative markings for liposuction.
We believe that there is neovascularization in these areas; the areas are
softened, thus, preventing the development of deformities due to surgical
resection in these areas.
All procedures were performed by the same surgeon. The method chosen was based on
the careful analysis of the case by the assistant plastic surgeon, and the
procedure was explained to the patient.
All patients underwent postoperative follow-up for at least 10 months.
RESULTS
Eight patients were selected from the study period reviewed.
The mean age of the patients was 56 years.
All patients showed some deformity in the affected breast that was detected by
nuclear magnetic resonance; the average size of the nodule was 1.8 cm, with oily
cysts, reported in 5 patients (62.5%), being the most common.
Of the total number of patients, 75% had a history of breast neoplasia.
DISCUSSION
The classic treatment consists of removing the nodules and fibrosis, which often
lead to deformity of the breast, with loss of volume and the shape of the
reconstructed breast. The technique proposed in this work proposes to minimize
these effects of the classical resection technique by liposuction and
stimulation of neovascularization.
This study is one of the pioneering works in the national literature on the
evaluation of an alternative method for the treatment of steatonecrosis.
When searching for articles from other countries on this subject, we noticed a
few specific works.
Characteristics of the skin
The long-term evaluation, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months, showed
complete regression of the palpable nodules. No superficial deformities or
retractions were observed in the areas subjected to liposuction.
Previous surgeries
A history of breast neoplasia was reported for 75% of the patients.
Treatment proposed and adopted
All patients underwent the proposed surgery, involving the perforation and
aspiration of the steatonecroses, delimiting the area of necrosis, and after
routine infiltration of the region, the cannula was inserted inside the
necrotic nodule and several perforations were made. The cannula was
connected to the liposuction device, which sucked part of the necrotic
tissue and the oily contents that eventually develop into cysts.
Aesthetic results of the surgical technique for the alternative treatment
of steatonecrosis
All patients were satisfied with the final aesthetic result; there were no
complaints of depression, palpable nodule, or retractions.
Additional studies are required to better characterize this treatment
modality and to conduct a more detailed analysis of this sample group, in
addition to the increase in the number of patients submitted. Our work is
the basis for future studies on the subject with greater n, using a
questionnaire designed to document patient satisfaction.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the individualization of the patient is the key to the
successful treatment of steatonecrosis and an essential tool to satisfy the
expectations and wishes of the patient after this complication. Each technique
has its indications, advantages and limitations, which must be widely discussed
with the patient to obtain the best possible result. The advantages of the
proposed technique include absence of deformities and patient satisfaction.
COLLABORATIONS
LDPB
|
Analysis and/or interpretation of data; statistical analyses;
conception and design of the study; completion of surgeries and/ or
experiments; writing the manuscript or critical review of its
contents.
|
OMC
|
Analysis and/or interpretation of data; statistical analyses; final
approval of the manuscript; conception and design of the study.
|
MCC
|
Analysis and/or interpretation of data; statistical analyses; final
approval of the manuscript.
|
LMCD
|
Analysis and/or interpretation of data; statistical analyses; writing
the manuscript or critical review of its contents.
|
MCAG
|
Analysis and/or interpretation of data; statistical analyses; writing
the manuscript or critical review of its contents.
|
IRJ
|
Analysis and/or interpretation of data; statistical analyses.
|
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1. Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica, São
Paulo, SP, Brazil.
2. Hospital Daher Lago Sul, Brasília, DF,
Brazil.
3. Hospital das Forças Armadas, São Paulo, SP,
Brazil.
Corresponding author: Ognev Meireles
Cozac, SGA/L2 Sul Quadra 616, Conjunto A, Loja 06. Centro clínico Linea Vitta -
Brasília, DF, Brazil. Zip Code 70200-760. E-mail:
ognev@terra.com.br
Article received: December 1, 2016.
Article accepted: May 17, 2018.
Conflicts of interest: none.