Clostridium sordellii surgical site infection after breast mass excision: case report.
BACKGROUND
Clostridium sordellii infection is a rare condition usually associated with obstetric operations. There have been few reports of C. sordellii in association with other invasive procedures. The mortality rate of this infection approaches 70%.


METHODS
Case report and review of the pertinent English-language literature.


RESULTS
We describe the first known C. sordellii infection after excision of a breast mass in an adult female. This patient had a prolonged hospital course in the surgical intensive care unit and endured multiple surgical debridements.


CONCLUSIONS
Our patient showed many clinical signs that have been described in past cases of C. sordellii infection. Although the patient had substantial acute morbidity secondary to necessary aggressive treatment, she did survive ultimately. Our case serves the purpose of establishing future treatment for C. sordellii breast surgical site infections with the hope that future treatment may be adapted from our experience.
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
Craig
C
Smith
Brent
B
Goslin
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D047989:Paraclostridium sordellii / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology*