Postoperative toxic shock syndrome following adrenalectomy: a case report

This report describes a fatal case of toxic shock syndrome following surgical procedure of adrenalectomy. Toxic shock syndrome is a severe multisystemic illness associated with Staphylococcus Aureus infection. The disease is usually associated with menstruation and tampon usage. However, it has recently been reported in the postoperative period following simple surgical procedures. The surgical wound does not usually appear infected. The syndrome is associated with specific strains of Staphylococci producing the toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1), that mainly contributes to the illness. The major clinical signs are: fever, diarrhea, cutaneous rash and hypotension. Toxic shock syndrome requires early recognition and prompt aggressive symptomatic treatment based essentially on fluids administration, appropriate intravenous antibiotics and corticosteroids.