Parasitization of the pedicle: a rare form of TRAM flap recurrence.

Local recurrence after mastectomy and autologous breast reconstruction is uncommon and tends to occur predictably within the superficial tissues or at the chest wall. We present a unique case of breast cancer recurrence involving the superficial and deep tissues. By parasitizing the pedicle of a free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap pedicle, the tumour was seen to extend through the chest wall to the right pleura.

Acute pancreatitis following liver resection: report of three fatal cases and a review of the literature.

Pancreatitis is a well recognised but rare complication following liver resection. The precise aetiology is not well understood and the clinical diagnosis may frequently be obscured by the postoperative state. Postoperative pancreatitis has a high mortality rate and should always be considered in patients who unexpectantly deteriorate postoperatively. We present three fatal cases of pancreatitis following liver resection. The literature is reviewed to elucidate common factors in patients who develop postoperative pancreatitis.