title: Mycobacterium ulcerans ulcers: a proposed surgical management algorithm.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Southern Health Network, and Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chin-Lenn
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nazaretian
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Donahoe
authors.forename: Ram
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silfen
mesh_terms: 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*