Mycobacterium fortuitum Infection following Reconstructive Breast Surgery: Differentiation from Classically Described Red Breast Syndrome.

Background: Red breast syndrome (RBS) has been described as an erythema that may be associated with 2-stage prosthetic reconstructive breast surgery using biologic mesh. RBS is differentiated from infectious cellulitis through absence of fever and laboratory abnormalities and usually has a self-limiting course. There have been no clinical reports on etiology, risk factors, or management of RBS.

Sternal wound reconstruction with transverse plate fixation.

Background: Although sternal wound infections and nonunions affect only a small percentage of patients undergoing median sternotomy, the morbidity, mortality, and expenses associated with them continue to make their treatment of great importance.

Methods: The authors present a retrospective study of their experience using titanium plates for repair of 50 complicated sternal wounds. The cases reviewed include all cases performed by the primary and secondary authors between the years of 1998 and 2002.