Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery ISSN: 0970-0358 EISSN: 1998-376x Vol. 37, Num. 2, 2004, pp. 126-127

Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery, Vol. 37, No. 2, July-December, 2004, pp. 126-127

Brief Communications

Machinery injury to the breast- A case report

Basu Adhish, Jagdish S, Pai Dinker

Department of General Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.
Address for correspondence: Dr. Adhish Basu, 10/2 Verappa Street, Anandanagar, Kathirkamam P. O., Pondicherry - 605 009.
E-mail: adhishbasu@rediffmail.com

Code Number: pl04029

Abstract

Keywords: Laceration of the breast, Sugarcane crushing machine

INTRODUCTION

Sugarcane crushing machines consist of two serrated steel rollers rotated manually or by a motor. [Figure - 1] During insertion and extraction of sugarcanes the hand of the operator may get caught in between the two rollers causing severe crush injury. But snaring of a breast between the rollers of a sugarcane crusher has not been reported.

CASE HISTORY

A 35 year old lady presented to us with complaints of injury sustained to the right breast from a sugarcane crusher a day back. The woman′s sari had got entangled between the rollers of the machine when she stretched forward to pull out crushed sugarcane from the other side of the machine. Subsequently her right breast got caught between the cylinders, leading to a lacerated injury.

Examination of the right breast revealed two 5 x 5 cm contaminated lacerated wounds in the outer quadrants. [Figure - 2] Nipple and areola were normal. No other injuries were noted in the patient.

In view of the gross contamination, the wounds were treated with daily dressings for three weeks till they granulated well. Following this, the lower outer quadrant wound was closed with a split skin graft. The upper outer quadrant wound was closed by delayed primary sutures. [Figure - 3] Postoperative cosmetic result when the patient came for follow up a month later was acceptable.

DISCUSSION

Sugarcane crushing machines can cause severe injuries to body appendages.[1] Injury to the breast resulting from the steel rollers of a sugarcane crusher however has never been reported.

Injuries to the breast can be classified into (i) closed wounds (including contusions, superficial injuries and traumatic fat necrosis) and (ii) open wounds. Open wounds are usually due to road traffic accidents, gunshot wounds, stab injuries and animal or human bites.[2]

In a study of six patients with breast trauma in a busy level I trauma center in USA over 5 years, the authors concluded that traumatic breast hematomas are occuring with increasing frequency in motor vehicle crashes. Ultrasound is useful in defining the extent of injury to the breast. Operative management may be required in a selected few cases.[2]

References

Copyright 2004 - Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery

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