Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open (Dec 2022)

Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome after Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Case Report and Literature Review

  • Hideharu Nakamura, MD, PhD,
  • Takaya Makiguchi, MD, PhD,
  • Yasuko Hasegawa, MD,
  • Yukie Yamatsu, MD,
  • Koki Shoda, MD,
  • Yumi Mori, MD,
  • Kei Sakurai, MD,
  • Ken Shirabe, MD, PhD,
  • Satoshi Yokoo, DMD, DMSc

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000004710
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 12
p. e4710

Abstract

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Summary:. Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening systemic bacterial intoxication. TSS is characterized by fever, hypotension, rash, digestive symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, multiorgan system involvement, and desquamation in the initial recovery period. We report a case of a 35-year-old woman who developed TSS caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus following deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction. Local findings are often not obvious in a case of TSS, which can make early diagnosis and appropriate initial treatment difficult. If a patient presents with characteristic symptoms of TSS after autologous breast reconstruction, TSS should be suspected and exploration of surgical wounds should be initiated as soon as possible.