Here we report a case of mediastinitis due to Mycobacterium fortuitum
infection in a child after a Fontan operation. To our knowledge this i
s the first report of atypical mycobacterial mediastinal infection aft
er congenital heart surgery. Atypical mycobacteria can be the cause of
''culture negative'' sternal and thoracotomy wound infections. A brie
f review of the literature is included in the discussion.