Uncommon Tissue Defects of Upper Extremities: Bacillus Antracis ()
Affiliation(s)
1Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department, Medical Faculty, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
2Plastic Surgery Department of University Hospital, Selcuk University Alaaadin Keykubat Campus, Konya, Turkey.
3Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department, Medical Faculty, Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis spores. Cutaneous
form is the most common and the least fatal form of the disease, however the
disease is uncommon in Europe and U.S. and the reports in the literature are
mostly case reports for upper extremity. Case Series: 7 patients, who were
treated between 1999 and 2015 in our clinic with the diagnosis of cutaneous
anthrax in their upper extremity, were included to our study. 3 patients
applied directly to plastic surgery, others were consulted from the infectious
disease clinics. Reconstructions were done with skin grafts or secondarily. Discussion:
Anthrax causes cutaneous, gastrointestinal and inhalation forms of the disease.
Despite being very rare in Europe and US, in Turkey there are many reported
anthrax cases. However, cutaneous anthrax of upper extremity is reported rarely
in the literature. Painless papule and vesicles are well defined as clinical
findings. In anthrax, the excision of skin lesions or biopsies is
contraindicated because of the risk of systemic spread. Conclusion: Despite
cutaneous anthrax of the hand and upper extremity is very rare, the diagnosis
is easy because of the typical presentation and history. Once the definitive
diagnosis is set, the treatment is effortless with the antibiotherapy and first
steps of the reconstruction ladder.
Share and Cite:
Akdag, O. , Yildiran, G. , Sutcu, M. , Karamese, M. and Tosun, Z. (2016) Uncommon Tissue Defects of Upper Extremities: Bacillus Antracis.
Modern Plastic Surgery,
6, 5-10. doi:
10.4236/mps.2016.62002.
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