To delineate the clinicopathologic features of patients who have atypical mycobacterial infections of the periorbital region after periocular and facial surgery and to define the sequelae after treatment and their management. A case series of patients from 7 practices of ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeons was analyzed retrospectively. Thirteen patients had infection in the following clinical settings: 8 patients had infections after blepharoplasty, 2 patients had infections that involved the anophthalmic socket, 1 patient had orbital cellulitis after orbital fracture repair with an alloplastic implant, and 2 patients had infections involving the lacrimal system, one after silicone tube insertion and the other after dacryocystorhinostomy with silicone tube intubation. Sequelae of infection included eyelid retraction and ectropion requiring surgical repair (two patients) and enophthalmos (one patient). Twelve of 13 patients required extensive antibiotic therapy. One infection resolved after local excision of eyelid lesions. Another patient had recurrent infection after 4 weeks of antibiotic treatment. Delayed infection with erythematous nodules, particularly when a foreign body is implanted weeks after periocular surgery, should arouse suspicion of an atypical mycobacterial infection. Delayed infection after blepharoplasty may mimic a chalazion, develop in a sutured incision, or occur without any inflammatory signs. Orbital abscess formation may occur in the setting of transconjunctival blepharoplasty. Cultures for acid-fast bacilli and excisional biopsy of nodules with performance of acid-fast stains may be necessary for diagnosis. The selection of systemic antibiotic therapy, usually clarithromycin, and the length of treatment should be guided by results of culture and sensitivity laboratory studies, biopsy results, and clinical response to treatment. Surgical removal of any implanted foreign bodies should be performed expeditiously. Consultation with an infectious disease specialist may be useful in selected cases. Sequelae of infection may include eyelid scarring and retraction and enophthalmos.
