Methicillin-resistant superinfection of the wound after body-contouring abdominal surgery

This report presents the case of a patient who underwent abdominal body-contouring surgery, then later experienced a severe deep infection and a methicillin-resistant (MRSA) superinfection.

A 56-year-old female ex-smoker presented, after massive weight loss, with skin excesses on the abdomen and flanks. She underwent an abdominoplasty with muscle plication and flank liposuction. On postoperative day 14, the woman presented with a deep wound infection, then 1 week later with MRSA superinfection. Since then, two surgical debridements and specific intravenous antibiotics have been necessary for a cure and to avoid septicemic complications. Complete wound closure was achieved only after 3 months of therapy, but a massive retractile and painful scar remained.

Concomitant risk factors for wound infections (obesity, smoking, flap undermining) determined a rare but potentially fatal wound complication after body-contouring abdominoplasty. This complication was presented to alert plastic and general surgeons to such postoperative infections and to the possibility of a nonconservative approach.