Survival after a second episode of toxic epidermal necrolysis

Toxic epidermal necrolysis resulting from severe hypersensitivity to medication has a reported mortality of up to 66%. A patient surviving two episodes with more than a 50% skin loss is unprecedented in the medical literature. Mortality has been associated with many factors, including delayed reepithelialization, persistent skin slough, coagulopathy, severe hypoproteinemia, and sepsis. It may be possible to decrease morbidity and mortality by preventing the shearing of epidermis, thereby limiting the denuded areas. This case report describes the successful management of our patient's second episode of toxic epidermal necrolysis. The treatment of this patient in our specialized burn center consisted of careful fluid and electrolyte management, nutritional support, standard topical antimicrobials, and new modalities of local wound management.