Chronic haematoma as a late complication of cosmetic breast augmentation.

To our knowledge, a chronic expanding haematoma has not been reported in a patient who received silicone gel breast prostheses for augmentation and never before at an interval as long as 12 years, as in our case. There have been occasional reports of chronic haematoma as complication of implantation of silicone breast prostheses after mastectomy for cancer, presenting 2.5-8 years later.

Using wound fluid analyses to identify trace element requirements for efficient healing.

A series of wound fluid and blood plasma samples from 20 patients with breast cancer were analysed by Potentiometric Stripping Analysis and computer-aided chemical speciation to quantify the concentrations of the trace elements of copper and zinc in the samples and to investigate the individual species of copper and zinc present. Comparisons were made between total concentrations of copper and zinc in wound fluid, pre-operative blood plasma levels and reference values. A wound fluid model constructed using JESS identified the main copper and zinc species present. It was also used to investigate the effects of a change in pH and changes in the total concentrations of certain components on their predominance. The clinical significance of the research is discussed, together with suggestions for a continuation in the research.