Surgical intervention is an integral component in the diagnosis and management of
mycetoma. Surgical treatment is indicated for small, localised lesions and massive lesions to reduce the
mycetoma load and to enable better response to medical
therapy. It is also a life-saving procedure in patients with massive disease and
sepsis. Surgical options for
mycetoma treatment range from a wide local surgical excision to repetitive
debridement excisions to
amputation of the affected part. Adequate anaesthesia, a bloodless field, wide local excision with adequate safety margins in a suitable surgical facility, and expert surgeons are mandatory to achieve the best surgical outcome. Surgical intervention in
mycetoma is associated with considerable morbidity,
deformities, and disabilities, particularly in advanced disease. These complications can be reduced by educating patients to seek medical advice earlier when the lesion is small, localised, and amenable to surgery. There is no evidence for
mycetoma hospital
cross infection. This communication is based on the authors' experience in managing over 7,200
mycetoma patients treated at the
Mycetoma Research Centre, University of Khartoum, Sudan.