title: Actinomyces infection associated with the transobturator sling.
abstract: We present a case of Actinomyces infection associated with the transobturator sling. The patient had a transobturator sling complicated only by a left vaginal sulcal perforation. She subsequently developed mesh erosion that led to two partial mesh resections performed in the operating room at 6 weeks and again at 6 months after the initial surgery. She subsequently required a groin dissection and removal of the entire left side of the sling due to persistent infection. The presence of a foreign body is believed to create an environment that makes growth of the bacteria more likely. With increased use of artificial mesh in incontinence and prolapse surgery, we may see increasing numbers of these types of infections.
authors.affiliation: Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1200 N. State St., Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. ozel@usc.edu
authors.forename: Begüm
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ozel
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minaglia
mesh_terms: D000190:Actinomyces; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D053825:Suburethral Slings / Q000382:microbiology*; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents