[Cutaneous necrosis of the breast: a complication of oral anticoagulant treatment].

Cutaneous necrosis of the breast is a rare complication of oral antivitamin K drugs. It occurs shortly after instituting therapy with well-limited, irreversible skin necrosis developing rapidly. The scar is superficial and only involves the subcutaneous tissue; early and extensive surgery does not therefore seem to be justified. Normal scarring is the eventual spontaneous outcome but this is always a long process. Several arguments are advanced in favour of a toxic effect of the drug itself on the vascular walls of the vessels in the dermis.