Toxic shock syndrome after anterior-posterior nasal packing

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a severe, potentially life-threatening multisystem disease. It is rather rare with the incidence estimated to be 16.5/100,000 of nasal surgery performed in the United States. A milder degree of TSS may be more common. Surgeons who perform sino-nasal surgery should be aware of this disease, although certain criteria for definite TSS are absent. Early recognition and prompt intervention is important to minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. This paper presents the first reported case of a milder degree of TSS after anterior-posterior nasal packing in Thailand. The criteria for diagnosis, the pathogenesis, and the management of TSS were reviewed.