Mycobacterium ulcerans ulcers: a proposed surgical management algorithm.
Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) is the third common mycobacterial infection after tuberculosis and leprosy. In endemic areas, MU ulcers should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any unusual or nonhealing lesion or ulcer. Diagnosis and treatment should be instigated promptly. Delay may lead to disfiguring or disabling scars. Surgical management, therefore, should aim towards early excision, with clear margins of the ulcer. We present 4 consecutive patients treated by our department within a 6-month period for MU ulcers. The presentation, diagnosis and surgical management are described. Based on our experience and after reviewing the literature, we have developed a surgical algorithm for the management of MU ulcers.
Chin-Lenn
Laura
L
Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Southern Health Network, and Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Ying
David
D
Leong
James
J
Ross
David
D
Wu
Terry
T
Nazaretian
Simon
S
Donahoe
Simon
S
Silfen
Ram
R
D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D019911:Mycobacterium ulcerans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*