Successful secondary augmentation mammoplasty after Mycobacterium thermoresistibile infection – a case report

Mycobacterium thermoresistibile (MT) infections are extremely rare in humans. This nontuberculous mycobacterial species has been associated with lung, skin, and soft tissue infections. We present the case of a 37-year-old woman who underwent augmentation mammoplasty at another institution and developed a persistent MT infection in the right breast, requiring removal of the infected breast implant, antibiotic therapy and multiple surgical treatments. After three months of targeted antimicrobial therapy, we planned a secondary augmentation mammoplasty, starting the procedure in the non-infected breast with removal of the prepectoral implant and creation of a subpectoral pocket using a dual plane technique. Subsequently, in the affected breast we performed a placement of a subpectoral implant with the same technique and lipofilling. Finally, an inverted T-shaped resection of skin tissue was required on the left breast. After 12 months of follow-up, we obtained an acceptable aesthetic result and reported no recurrence of infection. This is the first case of MT infection in Latin America and of successful secondary augmentation mammoplasty after MT infection.