Ruptured internal mammary artery perforator after reduction mammoplasty: a case report

Authors

Carol Wright Becker, West Virginia University, Department of Emergency MedicineFollow
Abigail Roop, West Virginia School of Medicine
Daniel Sutphin, West Virginia University, Department of Plastic Surgery
Roger Tillotson, West Virginia University, Department of Emergency Medicine

Author Credentials

Carol Wright Becker MD, MBA; Abigail Roop MSIV; Daniel Sutphin MD, FACS; Roger Tillotson MD

Keywords

postoperative complication; arterial bleeding; mammary artery; reduction mammoplasty; case report

Disciplines

Medical Anatomy | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

A 60-year-old female who was 10 days post-reduction mammoplasty presented to the emergency department due to the sudden onset of swelling and pain in her left breast. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the chest revealed active arterial bleeding. The patient was emergently taken to the operating room, where she underwent evacuation of a large hematoma as well as ligation of a left internal mammary perforator artery. This case represents a rare occurrence of life-threatening postoperative bleeding into the chest wall/breast after reduction mammoplasty, which developed 10 days postoperatively. The successful outcome and complete recovery were attributed to the timely recognition of the problem, followed by prompt and effective surgical intervention.

Recommended Citation

Wright Becker C, Roop A, Sutphin D, Tillotson R. Ruptured internal mammary artery perforator after reduction mammoplasty: a case report. Marshall J Med. 2025; 11(3) DOI: https://doi.org/10.33470/2379-9536.1490.