Post-Operative Mucormycosis Wound Infection

Mucormycosis is a rare but extremely dangerous fungal infection that sometimes occurs in surgical patients at the site of the incision. It can result in limb amputation and even death.

Definition

• Mucormycosis is a fungus of the class Zygomycetes, and order Mucorales. It remains the 3rd most common fungal infection in humans and also the most deadly.

Diaognosis

• Mucormycosis must be detected early in order for the patient to survive, therefore a high index of suspicion should become standard for post-operative patients.

Risk Factors

• Patients most at risk include those with chronic debilitating diseases such as diabetes, those taking immunosuppressive medication and those on short-course steroids. However, fatalities have occurred in patients with traumatic injuries to the skin or soft tissue who have no apparent risk factors.

Characteristics

• Mucormycosis spreads rapidly resulting in widespread vascular invasion.

Symptoms

• The appearance of mold in the wound presents the most obvious symptom. Other symptoms include the development of acute renal failure with smooth enlargement of both kidneys in an apparently healthy surgical patient.

Treatment

• If mucormycosis is detected early, prompt surgical intervention and administration of appropriate anti-fungal treatment often proves successful, but the best treatment remains prevention by keeping the post-surgical environment sterile.