Pyoderma gangrenosum following patellar tendon repair: a case report and review of the literature.

Overview

Postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an unusual and devastating complication following surgical procedures. This frequently misdiagnosed entity can progress rapidly if not identified and treated appropriately. A heightened awareness for the diagnosis of PG, coupled with a multidisciplinary approach to the disease, is essential to proper management of this entity. We report on a patient who developed postoperative PG following open repair of a patellar tendon rupture. The follow-up period was 2 years, and a review of the current literature is presented. The diagnosis of PG was confirmed by tissue biopsy, and the condition was treated with high-dose prednisone and dapsone, with complete resolution of symptoms. PG should be part of the differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with postoperative wound complications. Awareness of PG is the key to diagnosis and treatment of this potentially devastating complication.