Background: Surgical site infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasingly reported in the literature. Mycobacterium Fortuitum is the one that is most frequently associated with surgical site infections. Case Presentation: We present our first case of Mycobacterium Fortuitum infection after combined abdominoplasty and bilateral breast reduction. Discussion and Conclusions: Diagnosis of NTM-infections remains difficult. Typical symptoms are minor wound dehiscences with the evacuation of clear, odorless fluid collections. The onset can vary between one week to two years postoperatively. A wound dehiscence of a previously closed wound or slow healing of a wound must encourage a prompt diagnosis. A proper amount of fluid collection and/or tissue biopsy are necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Acid-fast or fluorochrome staining are also preferred over classic Gram staining. Treatment consists of proper surgical debridement and long-term, targeted, antibiotic combination therapy. Surgical debridement involves surgical drainage and removal of any infected foreign material. With regards to the antibiotic treatment, a dual antibiotic therapy, consisting of an oral Macrolide with initial parental therapy of Amikacin, is recommended. However, other combinations have been reported and also seem efficacious. An antibiotic treatment of four to six months is advised. The prognosis is usually favorable, although complete healing can sometimes be annoyingly long.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.