Case report of a rare soft tissue tuberculosis in a patient undergoing lipoabdominoplasty

This case report describes a rare occurrence of soft tissue tuberculosis (TB) following lipoabdominoplasty in a 34-year-old female patient. The patient developed progressive flap necrosis and prolonged wound healing despite optimal treatment including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, debridement, and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC). After several weeks of persistent wound drainage, histopathological examination revealed tuberculous granulomas, confirming soft tissue tuberculosis. The patient was treated with a standard anti-tuberculosis regimen, resulting in significant improvement within two weeks. The wound healed after definitive closure, and the patient completed a six-month course of anti-TB therapy. This case highlights the importance of considering soft tissue tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of non-healing postoperative wounds, particularly in regions with high tuberculosis burden. The rarity of this complication post-abdominoplasty underscores the need for thorough investigation in cases of delayed wound healing, as traditional approaches may not suffice when rare pathogens are involved. Histopathological diagnosis and timely anti-tuberculosis treatment are essential for improving patient outcomes in such challenging cases.