HomeAnswersGeneral Surgerynontuberculous mycobacteriaCan nontuberculous mycobacteria infection be treated only by surgery?

Is surgery the only option for nontuberculous mycobacteria infection?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Sneha Kannan

Published At March 9, 2016
Reviewed AtMay 23, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am 30 years old and married for the last 3.5 years. One and a half years back, I had a surgery to remove ovarian cyst and fibroid tumor from uterus by laparoscopy. But, somehow one incision area got infected and I was under antibiotic for almost five months. Meantime, I relocated and the infection become worse for which I had to undergo another surgery to remove the abdominal abscess. In a couple of months, I become quite well but one sudden day pus came out from the same area along with pain. My surgeon said it was fine as the pus was there during the healing period. But this gets worsen and the area again needs to be cleaned out through a minor surgery. I still have that area swollen with pain on the left abdomen and hence recently went through another CT scan and it seems that I am suspected of having nontuberculous mycobacterium infection on my abdomen wall. My doctor wanted another round of surgery to clean up the wound followed by prolonged antibiotic. Could you please guide me by letting me know if surgery is the only option or there are other ways that I can leverage and get cured? I do not want another surgery and looking for alternative but effective solutions. Please let me know if you require additional information.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It is unfortunate that you have to undergo repeated surgeries due to the infection. A combined therapeutic approach including surgical drainage, debridement, and prolonged treatment (more than three months) with combined antimicrobial agents, has been used in managing cases of atypical mycobacterium.

In some cases based on clinical assessment, successful treatment requires aggressive debridement of all infected subcutaneous tissues and skin. Surgery does play a major role for these kinds of infections and may have to be repeated. I should be able to give you more inputs if I see the scans and reports. Kindly revert back with the same.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thanks for the reply and the clarification.

For your reference, I am attaching the CT report and blood results. Please check and let me know if you see further issue.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have gone through the report (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

Their plan of action is perfectly alright. You would be started on an empirical antibiotic and following debridement and culture the appropriate antibiotic can be used.

It takes six to eight weeks usually for the culture to be reported. As I had already mentioned, you may require the antibiotic for three to six months. Hopefully, a proper complete debridement and specific bacterial antibiotic should control the infection.

Sadly these kinds of infections, though very rare, are quite troublesome and recur even after proper treatment. We should do our best and hope for the best.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Nadiminty Raghuvamsi
Dr. Nadiminty Raghuvamsi

Surgical Oncology

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