RESUMO
La mastectomía total por cáncer de mama produce una deformidad importante en las pacientes, con alteraciones severas de su autoestima, imagen corporal, sexualidad, y calidad de vida en general. El gold estándar en los países desarrollados es la reconstrucción mamaria inmediata y, actualmente existen pocas contraindicaciones absolutas para realizar alguna técnica de reconstrucción. Este artículo se describen las opciones reconstructivas (colgajos e implantes), tiempos de reconstrucción, ventajas y desventajas de ambas técnicas, potenciales complicaciones, y se propone un algoritmo de tratamiento. La elección de la técnica de reconstrucción debería ser decidida entre la paciente y su cirujano/a, considerando características físicas, factores relacionados con la enfermedad y tratamiento oncológico, y preferencias de las pacientes.
Total mastectomy for breast cancer treatment can be a cause of deformity and distress for patients, with severe impairment of self-esteem, body image, sexuality, and quality of life. In developing countries, immediate breast reconstruction is the gold standard, and there are only a few absolut contraindications for some technique of breast reconstruction. This article describes reconstructive options (flaps and allo-plastic material), reconstructive timing, pros and cons of both techniques, potential complications, and an algorithm of treatment is proposed. Choice of the reconstructive technique should be decided by the patient and her surgeon, considering physical characteristics, factors related with the disease and oncologic treatments, and patients' preferences.
RESUMO
Background: Approximately 150 subjects per year suffer severe burns in Chile. Aim: To analyze sociodemographic/clinical features and outcomes of severely burned patients. Material and Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 936 patients aged 47 ± 20 years (66% males), admitted to the National Burn Center of Chile between 2006 and 2010. Sociodemographic/clinical and burn variables and outcomes were studied. Results: Mean total percentage of body surface area burned was 27 + 20%. A quarter of the patients had social features that could jeopardize rehabilitation. Fire was the burning agent in 73%, which along with electricity presented greater lethality (p < 0.01). Inhalation injury was diagnosed in 22% of the patients. Twenty eight percent of patients had impaired consciousness at the moment of the accident, leading to larger burns, higher incidence of inhalation injury and greater lethality. Lethality for severe, critical and exceptional survival groups was 8.4,37.7 and 70.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Severely burned patients in Chile are mainly males at working age. Fire is the main agent and 28% had impaired consciousness, which was associated with an increase in the severity of burns. Knowledge of the characteristics and outcomes of the patients is important to implement prevention and treatment strategies adjusted to the national reality.