DELAYED TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME AFTER FUNCTIONAL ENDONASAL SINUS SURGERY

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an uncommon, severe, multisystem illness that may follow any surgical procedure. It usually occurs in the imme diate postoperative period and is manifested by the sudden onset of a high fever and a variety of other signs and symptoms. The reported inc idence of TSS after nasal surgery is 16 cases per 100 000 patients. We report five unusual cases of delayed TSS that occurred after function al endonasal sinus surgery in which no packing was used. Toxic shock s yndrome developed in three children and two adults 5 days to 5 weeks p ostoperatively. All patients were treated successfully with no sequela e. The pathophysiologic features, clinical manifestations, and treatme nt of TSS are described in detail.