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      Postoperative toxic shock syndrome.

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          Abstract

          We conducted a retrospective review of all cases of postoperative toxic shock syndrome (PTSS) occurring in two community hospitals from 1981-1993, during which time 390,000 surgical procedures were performed. The incidence was 0.003% (12 cases). All wounds in these 12 cases, from those with scant superficial exudates to those with gross purulence, yielded Staphylococcus aureus. All tested isolates were susceptible to methicillin or cephalothin. Patients had a mean maximal temperature of 40 degrees C. All patients had a rash, most in a truncal, "sunburn" pattern. Eleven patients had desquamation. Mean time from surgery to onset of symptoms was 4 days. All patients required vigorous fluid resuscitation. No correlation could be demonstrated between the development of toxic shock syndrome and a patient's age, sex, preoperative skin preparation or administration of antibiotics, members of the surgical team, or duration of procedure. All patients with PTSS survived. PTSS should be considered in the differential diagnosis for the acutely febrile, systemically ill postoperative patient, even when surgical wounds are deceptively benign in appearance. Early recognition and treatment of PTSS is essential for successful outcome.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          Clin. Infect. Dis.
          Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
          1058-4838
          1058-4838
          Apr 1995
          : 20
          : 4
          Affiliations
          [1 ] Springfield Clinic, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine 62794-9248, USA.
          Article
          7795091
          fc91de8c-7e82-4bf8-b7f1-4dd249d67233
          History

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