Abdominoplasty Combined with Wide Excision in Marjolin's Ulcer: Report of 2 Cases

ABSTRACT

Advances in medical science have produced significant progress in the area of wound healing. Yet, despite proper administration of initial medical treatment, burns or radiation induced wounds often develop into chronic wounds or develop other complications such as scar contractures. In these type of patients, chronic wounds and the potential accompanied ulcers are difficult to heal as malignant changes may occur to the wounds especially in the absence of or in the delay in timely medical treatment. In our beauty oriented society today people have shown great interest in improving their image and many obese patients want to undergo suction-assisted lipectomies or abdominoplasties. Abdominoplasty is an effective procedure to remove locally accumulated fat and to reshape abdominal contours by tightening the muscles of the relaxed abdominal wall. Our medical research conducted on two patients, one with contact burn injuries accompanied by upper abdominal ulcers suffered for fifty years and another with radiation impaired wounds accompanied by lower abdominal ulcers due to cancer treatment for seven years, has shown that through the proper use of abdominoplasty. We have eliminated all possibilities that may trigger the re-occurrence of Marjolin's ulcers which may become malignant. Additionally, we have been able to heal chronic wounds and functionally improve our patient's restrictions of movement caused by the scar contractures by completely removing the lesions, erythemas and discharges from the ulcer areas by performing upper and lower abdominoplasties while still obtaining cosmetically satisfactory results.