Infection

After my mastectomy, I had a drain for 10 days. It was pulled even though I was producing alot of fluid. 3 days later, I had a check up with the surgeon and everything seemed fine. The next day, however, I did not feel well. Feverish and exhauted all day. I took my temperature around 4 PM to see that I had a fever of 104. I called my doctor's nurse and went to the ER. Initially the concern was that I had MRSA (Methacillin Resistant Staph. A.) and was put on Bactrim just in case. Fortunately it was just the friendly neighborhood Staph. A. and responded to treatment. I was on Bactrim for almost 3 weeks, at which point I developed an allergic reaction to it (generalized rash and itchiness) so I was put on clindamycin for 3 weeks. The concern was that the Staph might harbor in the expander since there is no circulation to foreign material in the body, and that we would not be able to get rid of the infection without removing the expander, which meant delaying reconstruction for a minimum of 6 months then starting over. I was very fortunate that my infection was eliminated and I had my reconstruction 15 weeks after the mastectomy. After my mastectomy, I had a drain for 10 days. It was pulled even though I was producing alot of fluid. 3 days later, I had a check up with the surgeon and everything seemed fine. The next day, however, I did not feel well. Feverish and exhauted all day. I took my temperature around 4 PM to see that I had a fever of 104. I called my doctor's nurse and went to the ER. Initially the concern was that I had MRSA (Methacillin Resistant Staph. A.) and was put on Bactrim just in case. Fortunately it was just the friendly neighborhood Staph. A. and responded to treatment. I was on Bactrim for almost 3 weeks, at which point I developed an allergic reaction to it (generalized rash and itchiness) so I was put on clindamycin for 3 weeks. The concern was that the Staph might harbor in the expander since there is no circulation to foreign material in the body, and that we would not be able to get rid of the infection without removing the expander, which meant delaying reconstruction for a minimum of 6 months then starting over. I was very fortunate that my infection was eliminated and I had my reconstruction 15 weeks after the mastectomy.

Implants are not actually “rejected” in the medical sense, but some people tolerate them poorly due to complications, the most common being capsular contracture, or heavy, sometimes painful, internal scarring around the implant. It is strange, but true, that no one really understands what causes capsular contracture, or knows precisely how to prevent it. While the exact same implants used for breast reconstruction are also used to augment healthy breasts, contracture may be more of a problem after reconstruction, due to the paucity of normal tissue around the implant (relative to a normal breast). Additionally, radiation seems to sometimes make contracture worse.



Infection will be almost invariably be accompanied by pain, redness, and, if it progresses sufficiently, fever and possibly spontaneous drainage. If your implant is infected, your symptoms will progress rapidly over a period of a few days, and you should seek help at once if you suspect it.

Richard M. Kline Jr., M.D. Implants are not actually “rejected” in the medical sense, but some people tolerate them poorly due to complications, the most common being capsular contracture, or heavy, sometimes painful, internal scarring around the implant. It is strange, but true, that no one really understands what causes capsular contracture, or knows precisely how to prevent it. While the exact same implants used for breast reconstruction are also used to augment healthy breasts, contracture may be more of a problem after reconstruction, due to the paucity of normal tissue around the implant (relative to a normal breast). Additionally, radiation seems to sometimes make contracture worse.



Infection will be almost invariably be accompanied by pain, redness, and, if it progresses sufficiently, fever and possibly spontaneous drainage. If your implant is infected, your symptoms will progress rapidly over a period of a few days, and you should seek help at once if you suspect it.

Richard M. Kline Jr., M.D.

I had diep flap reconstruction on 11/15. Unfortunately flap on rt side failed, so I have an implant on the rt and the flap on the left. I like the appearance and the feel of the flap versus the implant. The implant has really been causing a lot of trouble for me, and I may just have it taken out.. Make sure you really do your homework on this. It was a grueling 15 hour surgery for me. I also needed a blood transfusion after.

I don't regret my choice, but it is a little disappointing to go through all of that and not have optimal results. Good luck with everything. So sorry to hear of your troubles with tissue expanders. Unfortunately 30% of the women we perform DIEP flaps for have had failed attempts at implant/expander reconstruction. It is possible that the infection could be treated and then later re-try an implant but it may very well happen again. The benefit of the DIEP is that no implants are use and the risk for infection is minimal. It also preserves the muscles of your tummy wall while producing a natural, soft, warm breast that is meant to last a lifetime. (We don't perform TRAM flaps any longer since the DIEP preserves the muscle)

James E. Craigie, M.D.

I didn't have infection after reconstruction but I was put on antibiotic for 20 days form the day of the surgery and forward to prevent any infection from settling in. Since with chemo I landed twice in hospotal for long stays because of infection, that was judged to be the best prevention possible. Also, a year later, when I finished second chemo tx i had the nipple graff that caused an infection. Again received 20 days (two full course) of antibiotic to fend it off and prevent implant from being infected. Now, 3 months later, I don't have an infection and didn't have to get my implant removed. I didn't have an infection but I am concerned because I see this is an unanswered question. I'm afraid I have more questions than answers.

Are you on antibiotics for an infection? Does it look like there is an infection.... are you running a fever?

The thing with those expanders is they can be uncomfortable (particularly as they get "overfilled"). Mine appeared to have a weird shape.

How long ago did you have the surgery and what is your surgeon saying?

More questions than answers but I think I wanted to let you know I am listening.

AnneMarie

redness, hot to the touch, hard feeling, green drainage, fever and/or chills, pain that gets worse not better after surgery. Remember to contact your surgeon if you notice any new symptom.
Heather
www.mybreastcanceranswers.com redness, hot to the touch, hard feeling, green drainage, fever and/or chills, pain that gets worse not better after surgery. Remember to contact your surgeon if you notice any new symptom.
Heather
www.mybreastcanceranswers.com

You can go to these government websites and find out.
1. Hospital Compare. Find your hospital and get all sorts of info.
http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/hospital-search.aspx?version=default&browser=Firefox%257C1%257CWin2000&language=English&defaultstatus=0&pagelist=Home
2. Government Watch http://www.dotgovwatch.com/?/archives/14-Find-the-Best-Hospitals-With-Government-Statistics.html

Good luck!
Martine You can go to these government websites and find out.
1. Hospital Compare. Find your hospital and get all sorts of info.
http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/hospital-search.aspx?version=default&browser=Firefox%257C1%257CWin2000&language=English&defaultstatus=0&pagelist=Home
2. Government Watch http://www.dotgovwatch.com/?/archives/14-Find-the-Best-Hospitals-With-Government-Statistics.html

Good luck!
Martine

Increased risk of infection after breast reconstruction is associated with obesity, high blood pressure and smoking. These issues should be controlled as much as possible. Of course keeping the wounds clean is imperative. Increased risk of infection after breast reconstruction is associated with obesity, high blood pressure and smoking. These issues should be controlled as much as possible. Of course keeping the wounds clean is imperative.

Here are some symptoms to look for if you think you may have an infection:
- Fever that is 100.5° F (38° C) or higher.
- Low body temperature, including chills.
- Cough or sore throat
- Ear pain
- Headache or bad sinus pain, pain behind your eyes
- Stiff or sore neck
- Bloody or cloudy urine, pain or burning when you urinate
- Sores or white coating in your mouth or on your tongue
- Skin rash, swelling or redness anywhere

Notify your physician right away of any of these symptoms. Here are some symptoms to look for if you think you may have an infection:
- Fever that is 100.5° F (38° C) or higher.
- Low body temperature, including chills.
- Cough or sore throat
- Ear pain
- Headache or bad sinus pain, pain behind your eyes
- Stiff or sore neck
- Bloody or cloudy urine, pain or burning when you urinate
- Sores or white coating in your mouth or on your tongue
- Skin rash, swelling or redness anywhere

Notify your physician right away of any of these symptoms.

If you have a nose bleed that does not stop after 10 to 20 minutes, notify your physician right away or an alternative is to go to the emergency room or an urgent care center.

This could be a serious issue and potential causes are: infection, side effects from medications. If you have a nose bleed that does not stop after 10 to 20 minutes, notify your physician right away or an alternative is to go to the emergency room or an urgent care center.

This could be a serious issue and potential causes are: infection, side effects from medications.

If you have blood in your urine, notify your physician right away. Or an alternative is to go to the emergency room or an urgent care center.

Blood in the urine could signify serious health issues and should be treated as soon as possible. Some cause are: infections, side effects from medications, kidney stones.
If you have blood in your urine, notify your physician right away. Or an alternative is to go to the emergency room or an urgent care center.

Blood in the urine could signify serious health issues and should be treated as soon as possible. Some cause are: infections, side effects from medications, kidney stones.

Leukopenia (also known as leukocytopenia, or leucopenia) is a decrease in the number of white blood cells. White blood cells fight infection. A patient with leukopenia is more susceptible to infection.

Leukopenia is a potential side effect of many chemotherapy and chemo prevention medications. Leukopenia (also known as leukocytopenia, or leucopenia) is a decrease in the number of white blood cells. White blood cells fight infection. A patient with leukopenia is more susceptible to infection.

Leukopenia is a potential side effect of many chemotherapy and chemo prevention medications.