Pectoralis Major Muscle Necrosis After Selective Arterial Embolization: A Case Report With Reconstructive Considerations

Summary:

The pectoralis major (PM) muscle is commonly used in reconstruction because of its robust vascular supply from the thoracoacromial artery, although vascular dominance varies among individuals. Transcatheter arterial embolization is effective for hemostasis but may risk ischemia when a dominant pedicle is compromised. We describe a case of delayed PM muscle necrosis after selective arterial embolization for traumatic chest wall hemorrhage. A 76-year-old man with diabetes mellitus, pancreatic head carcinoma under chemotherapy, and polymyalgia rheumatica treated with prednisolone for a prolonged period (7 mg/d) developed acute right chest pain after lifting approximately 30 kg of hay. Computed tomography showed a large subcutaneous and subpectoral hematoma (123.9 × 115.7 × 66.0 mm) without extravasation. On day 10, computed tomography demonstrated active bleeding from branches of the thoracoacromial artery and lateral thoracic artery. Selective embolization of 1 branch of each artery was performed using a 1:3 mixture of N -butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl, B. Braun, Melsungen, Germany) and Lipiodol (Lipiodol, Guerbet, Villepinte, France), without coil embolization. Several weeks later, wound breakdown occurred; operative exploration revealed extensive PM muscle necrosis. Debridement and negative-pressure wound therapy were followed by delayed primary closure on day 113, with complete healing at 6 months. Selective embolization of branches supplying the PM muscle can rarely result in severe muscle necrosis, particularly in patients with reduced ischemic tolerance. Awareness, surveillance for delayed deep ischemia, and staged reconstruction are essential.