(2016). EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES USED TO AVOID THE FORMATION OF DOG EAR AT LATERAL END OF MASTECTOMY SCAR. Journal of the Medical Research Institute, 37(1), 33-41. doi: 10.21608/jmalexu.2016.112124
. "EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES USED TO AVOID THE FORMATION OF DOG EAR AT LATERAL END OF MASTECTOMY SCAR". Journal of the Medical Research Institute, 37, 1, 2016, 33-41. doi: 10.21608/jmalexu.2016.112124
(2016). 'EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES USED TO AVOID THE FORMATION OF DOG EAR AT LATERAL END OF MASTECTOMY SCAR', Journal of the Medical Research Institute, 37(1), pp. 33-41. doi: 10.21608/jmalexu.2016.112124
EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES USED TO AVOID THE FORMATION OF DOG EAR AT LATERAL END OF MASTECTOMY SCAR. Journal of the Medical Research Institute, 2016; 37(1): 33-41. doi: 10.21608/jmalexu.2016.112124
EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES USED TO AVOID THE FORMATION OF DOG EAR AT LATERAL END OF MASTECTOMY SCAR
Background: Following a standard mastectomy for breast cancer in obese and/or large sized breast patients, a fold of skin often persists at the lateral end of the scar lying at or above the bra line. The redundant skin, causes poor cosmetic results, interfere with wearing of external breast prosthesis and causes discomfort. We aimed to evaluate different techniques used to avoid the formation of dog ear at lateral end of mastectomy scar. Patients And MethoDS: This study prospectively included 60 patients admitted to the department of surgery, Alexandria Medical Research Institute who were planned for modified radical mastectomy. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group 1 underwent fishtail technique, group 2 underwent tear drop technique and group 3 underwent modified suturing technique and were followed up for one month and three months post-operatively for determination of the presence of dog ear and patient’s satisfaction regarding cosmetic outcome and comfortability. Results: Incidence of dog ear in fish tail group patients was less than that for group 2 and group 3 yet the difference is not significant less (P 0.431). Patient satisfaction, doctor satisfaction and patient comfortability were significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 and 3 (P=0.046, 0.042 and 0.021 respectively). Conclusion: Fishtail, teardrop and modified suturing techniques dealt well with the redundant skin lateral to mastectomy scar with no significant difference between the three techniques regarding dog ear incidence. While fish tail technique was significantly better in patient satisfaction, comfortability and doctor satisfaction than tear drop and modified suturing techniques.