Fibrosis is a pathological proliferation of connective tissue. Among other things, this contains various fibrous structural proteins such as collagen.
Terminology: Fibrosis comes from the Latin word fibra, which means fiber.
In plastic surgery, capsular fibrosis after breast augmentation is rarely seen today with the younger generation of breast implants. This leads to a hardening of the otherwise delicate implant capsule.
In hand surgery, the most common variant is Dupuytren’s disease, also known as palmar fibromatosis.
This is caused by an increase in collagen fibers in the palm fascia. The result is a hardening of the affected areas and later a curvature of the corresponding fingers.
Fibromatosis of the sole of the foot, similar to Dupuytren’s disease, is called Ledderhose disease. Both diseases can occur in combination or independently of each other.
Examples of fibrosis in other medical disciplines:
- Lung F.: a condition following various chronic lung diseases.
- Retroperitoneal F.: connective tissue remodeling in the pelvic area. Ureters, renal vessels and other structures can be walled off.
- Cystic fibrosis (= cystic fibrosis): A hereditary metabolic disorder in which various glands (eccrine glands) produce a viscous secretion that leads to massive ventilation problems, particularly in the lungs.
