Acute inflammatory breast cancer and surgery with non-closure of wounds
Zohlen, E.
Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift für Alle Gebiete der Operativen Medizen 54(1): 42-47
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-4722 PMID: 6851726 Document Number: 214492
Six women with acute inflammatory breast cancer were operated between 1967 and 1978 with non-closure of the incision. The mean survival rate was 6.4 years. One patient is still alive after 13 years. This paper discusses possible improvements in the procedure. - The non-closure of the surgical incision should ensure drainage of the lymph which is considered to be the carrier of cancer cells. Non-closure should prevent cancer resorption, it also ensures that the size of the incision is sufficient. Even large incisions heal well. The inflammatory processes of the breast cancer have stimulated this surgical procedure which has been practised in 54 patients (59 times). The tables demonstrate portion and process of severe cases. Since every cancer, particularly cancer of large size, can turn into inflammation, an extended indication for the "non-closure" technique appears worth considering. Especially for the acute inflammatory cases early detection and immediate treatment is mandatory, as well as "non-touch technique".