Delayed infection of a lymphocele following mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction: Report of a case

We report herein a rare case of delayed infection of a lymphocele following mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction. A 38-year-old woman prese nted to our hospital 7 months after undergoing a left-modified radical mast ectomy with an immediate breast reconstruction, following the sudden develo pment of a giant mass in the left thoracoabdominal region as well as a high fever and shivering. UItrasonography and a computed tomographic scan revea led massive fluid retention extending from the left axilla to the lower abd ominal region. Puncture drainage was performed three times and the injectio n of an antibiotic directly into the cyst resulted in resolution of the flu id. This massive retraction of fluid was considered to have resulted from a delayed infection of an axillary lymphocele.