ABSTRACT
The vacuum-assisted wound closure technique and device (the V.A.C.) has become a widely accepted technique in the management of chronic and difficult wounds. The authors present the first reported case of toxic shock syndrome associated with its use. This article does not question the efficacy of the V.A.C. technique in the treatment of difficult wounds, but focuses on raising the index of suspicion of toxic shock syndrome in patients with wounds managed with the V.A.C. who develop early signs or symptoms that may be consistent with the diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Shock, Septic/etiology , Surgical Wound Infection/therapy , Vacuum , Bandages , Colostomy/adverse effects , Humans , Male , Methicillin Resistance , Middle Aged , Shock, Septic/diagnosis , Shock, Septic/drug therapy , Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy , Staphylococcal Infections/etiology , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiologyABSTRACT
We report a case of spontaneous aortic dissection in a young weight lifter without aortic medial disease but with a myofibroblastic proliferation of the aortic adventitia consistent with nodular fasciitis. Successful treatment included ascending aorta replacement with Dacron graft and aortic valve resuspension. We believe that the underlying aortic pathology most likely contributed to the development of the aortic dissection.
