Delayed infection of a lymphocele following mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction: report of a case

Surg Today. 2000;30(10):914-6. doi: 10.1007/s005950070044.

Abstract

We report herein a rare case of delayed infection of a lymphocele following mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction. A 38-year-old woman presented to our hospital 7 months after undergoing a left-modified radical mastectomy with an immediate breast reconstruction, following the sudden development of a giant mass in the left thoracoabdominal region as well as a high fever and shivering. Ultrasonography and a computed tomographic scan revealed massive fluid retention extending from the left axilla to the lower abdominal region. Puncture drainage was performed three times and the injection of an antibiotic directly into the cyst resulted in resolution of the fluid. This massive retraction of fluid was considered to have resulted from a delayed infection of an axillary lymphocele.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision / adverse effects*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Lymphocele / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphocele / etiology*
  • Lymphocele / microbiology
  • Lymphocele / pathology
  • Mammaplasty / adverse effects*
  • Mastectomy, Modified Radical / adverse effects*
  • Mastectomy, Modified Radical / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications
  • Staphylococcal Infections / etiology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / microbiology*
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome