A prosthetic breast implant infected with Mycobacterium fortuitum

Augmentation mammaplasty is a common operation performed in the United States. Postoperative wound infections are rare, but can be devastating. Most often, bacteria from the normal skin flora cause these infections, but more atypical organisms can lead to similar situations. The authors present a case of a prosthetic breast implant infected with Mycobacterium fortuitum after augmentation mammaplasty. The patient, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed so that others may recognize and treat this entity successfully before encountering major complications. Although it is an infrequent occurrence, plastic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, and primary care doctors who may see postoperative wound infections should be aware of this potential pathogen. It is important in any postimplant infection and especially crucial in cases of unresolving or recurrent infections with unusual or even clear drainage. With proper identification through acid-fast smear and culture, multiagent therapy can be initiated early. Additional complications, including implant removal, may thus be avoided.