Devastating methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus wound infection following abdominoplasty in a prior bariatric...

A 46-year-old female smoker presented 12 months after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, with massive weight loss and skin excess of the abdomen and flanks. She underwent abdominoplasty with muscle plication and flanks liposuction, but on the 14th postoperative day this was complicated by a methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus wound infection. Multiple surgical debridements and high doses of intravenous antibiotics were necessary for cure and to avoid further septic complications. Complete wound closure was achieved after 3 months of therapy. Concomitant risk factors for wound infection (obesity, smoking, flap construction) contributed to a rare but potentially fatal wound complication following abdominoplasty. We alert the surgeon to such postoperative infections and the necessity for a non-conservative approach.