Mycobacterium Chelonae Infection following Abdominal Liposuction

Liposuction is a common cosmetic procedure with a low incidence of bacterial infection. Even more rare is the postoperative complication of infection with atypical mycobacteria. Months after the associated procedure is performed, atypical mycobacterial infection often presents with a variable clinical presentation. These characteristics often lead to misdiagnosis and delay in diagnosis. Presented here is a case of Mycobacteria chelonae infection following abdominal liposuction, along with information on diagnosis and management. To avoid a delay in diagnosis, it is essential to include atypical mycobacteria in the differential diagnosis when evaluating a patient with a rash with a history of an invasive cosmetic procedure.