The Koebner Phenomenon and Breast Reconstruction: Psoriasis Eruption Along the Surgical Incision

Abstract

The present report describes a recent case of recurrent infection in a breast reconstruction patient with a history of psoriasis. Following surgery, the patient developed psoriatic plaques along the incision scars. This phenomenon is known as Koebnerization, and has been found to affect surgical incisions. Cases of psoriatic patients being denied surgical procedures because of their inherent risk to Koebnerize have been previously reported. Similarly, such patients have been denied surgical procedures because of their increased risk of infection. The present case and literature review on this subject is described.