Plasma exchange in patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Abstract

We describe our experience with plasma exchange (PE) therapy in 13 patients with drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), 4 of whom had malignant disorders. Skin lesions covered 17% to 100% of total body surface area and 1 to 4 mucous membranes were involved. None of the patients was hospitalized in a burn unit. The patients underwent from 2 to 5 PE sessions (mean 3.4 +/- 0.2 standard error of mean [SEM], median 3) exchanging 6.6 to 17.6 L of plasma (mean 10.1 +/- 0.7 SEM, median 10). PE sessions were carried out every other day in 8 patients and daily in 5. Three patients died (23%) while the remaining 10 (77%) had a full recovery. Plasmapheresis may be an effective treatment in patients with drug-induced TEN hospitalized outside a burn unit.

• Authors: Gerasimos Bamichas, Taisir Natse, Fotini Christidou, Maria Stangou, Anna Karagianni, Sotiris Koukourikos, Georgios Chaidemenos, Fotis Chrysomallis, Kostas Sombolos
• Journal: Therapeutic apheresis : official journal of the International Society for Apheresis and the Japanese Society for Apheresis (Ther Apher) Vol. 6 Issue 3 Pg. 225-8 (Jun 2002) ISSN: 1091-6660 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12109948 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Plasma Exchange
• Retrospective Studies
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (therapy)
• Treatment Outcome