Atypical Mycobacteria Periprosthetic Infections—Diagnosis and Treatment

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The presence of atypical mycobacteria is reported in increasing numbers following augmentation mammaplasty in the USA. Prior to this work, there was no effective method for obtaining a satisfactory result with a retained prosthesis in a reasonable length of time. Early detection and prompt institution of this newly developed protocol of local and systemic antibiotic therapy, followed by surgical curettage and wound sterilization, are successful in these 3 cases. This method enabled patients to obtain a short course of therapy (in the most recent case, less than 1 mo.) and a satisfactory esthetic result. In spite of exhaustive efforts to pinpoint the etiology of the infection, the exact way in which the infecting agent has its entrance, whether by contaminated material or airborne, is as yet unknown. It is apparent from the patients treated that these remain as isolated infections, without systemic manifestations. Follow-up on these patients is in excess of 1 yr, with soft, normal-appearing, Baker Class I breasts. With variations in the drugs utilized, this method is currently being expanded to treat other types of periprosthetic breast infections satisfactorily.