Reconstructive surgery for mycetoma: Preliminary algorithm and a systematic review

Surgical treatments of mycetoma are a cornerstone in management. However, while doing a wide surgical excision of mycetoma lesion, surgeons think about how to close the skin defect, which can be closed primarily, left to heal by secondary intension, by skin grafts or local flaps. In this review, we demonstrate the various applications and changes of mycetoma reconstruction after surgical excision.

This is a systematic literature search and review conducted to determine articles presenting mycetoma reconstruction options. Articles were identified, and the time of publication, type of study, time of study, and country of study were checked. Additionally, all patients in those articles were included. Patients' names, sex, clinical presentation, and management were identified.

A total number of 9 articles fulfilled our inclusion criteria; 8 of them are case reports, and 1 is a case series. The first mycetoma reconstruction case was published in 1959. The country of publication varies from tropical and non-tropical countries. The total number of patients found in those articles is 34 patients, most of whom are male. The causative organism is mainly eumycetoma. The site of mycetoma lesions is varied with variable sizes. The reconstruction options used were skin graft and local or regional flaps, where only 1 case underwent a free flap for reconstruction.

Reconstruction of mycetoma should be considered following mycetoma surgery in small or large size defects if skin closure is not feasible and there is no indication for amputation.