A prosthetic breast implant infected with Mycobacterium fortuitum

Augmentation mammaplasty is a common operation performed in the United Stat es. Postoperative wound infections are rare, but can be devastating. Most o ften, bacteria from the normal skin flora cause these infections, but more atypical organisms can lead to similar situations. The authors present a ca se of a prosthetic breast implant infected with Mycobacterium fortuitum aft er augmentation mammaplasty. The patient, diagnosis, and treatment are disc ussed so that others may recognize and treat this entity successfully befor e encountering major complications. Although it is an infrequent occurrence , plastic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, and primary care doctor s who may see postoperative wound infections should be aware of this potent ial pathogen. It is important in any postimplant infection and especially c rucial in cases of unresolving or recurrent infections with unusual or even clear drainage. With proper identification through acid-fast smear and cul ture, multiagent therapy can be initiated early. Additional complications, including implant removal, may thus be avoided.