Park TH, Fan KL, Zolper EG, Song DH, Del Corral G, et al.
Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open. Date of publication 2020 Apr 10;volume 8(4):e2596.
1. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020 Apr 10;8(4):e2596. doi:
10.1097/GOX.0000000000002596. eCollection 2020 Apr.
Pyoderma Gangrenosum Masquerading as Necrotizing Infection after Autologous
Breast Reconstruction.
Park TH(1)(2), Fan KL(1), Zolper EG(1), Song DH(1), Del Corral G(1).
Author information:
(1)Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown
University Hospital, Washington, D.C.
(2)Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, CHA Budang Medical Center,
Seongnam, South Korea.
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a diagnostic dilemma when it presents with a
superimposed infection and previous surgery without subsequent inflammatory
infection. In this setting, PG is not at the forefront of the surgeon's mind.
Furthermore, the treatment for PG, systemic steroids, may cause serious morbidity
if the necrotizing infection is the actual culprit. We present an autologous
breast reconstruction patient with previous uncomplicated surgery and no personal
history of inflammatory disease. Important clinic clues to aid the surgeon in
diagnosis include irregular violaceous undermined border, purulence limited to
the skin, bilateral involvement, the involvement of the abdominal wound, sparing
of the mastectomy site, and relative sparing of the nipples and umbilicus.
Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf
of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002596
PMCID: PMC7209838
PMID: 32440390
Conflict of interest statement: Disclosure: Dr. Song receives royalties from
Elsevier for Plastic Surgery 3e/4e and Biomet Microfixation for Sternalock. None
of the other authors has any financial disclosures.
