[Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) after a postsurgery knee infection]

We report on a case of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in a 17-year-old healthy patient after surgery of the right knee joint following a traumatic patella luxation. Two days after the intervention the patient showed fever, diarrhea, cough, and a diffuse erythroderma without any signs of postsurgical wound infection. Septic shock and acute renal failure followed. It was possible to identify a Staphylococcus, which originated the toxic shock toxin. As result of treatment, full recovery was achieved. TSS can occur in its full picture in a postoperative wound infection in a young healthy patient without showing local signs of infection at the operation site.