Meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans: the surgical perspective
Author Department
Surgery
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
6-2013
Abstract
Meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans is a rare but highly lethal disease process that requires a multidisciplinary team of experts to optimise morbidity and mortality outcomes due to the breadth of complications of the disease. The surgical perspective involves the critical care management which utilises all currently available measured outcomes of critical care management as well as experimental therapies. Limb loss is common, and is reflective of the high incidence of compartment syndrome compounded by the significant soft tissue loss secondary to purpura and limb ischaemia, presumptively due to digital microemboli. A multidisciplinary approach involving current standards in critical care and early surgical evaluation are important in improving patient outcomes and limb salvage.
Recommended Citation
Morris ME, Maijub JG, Walker SK, Gardner GP, Jones RG. Meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans: the surgical perspective. Postgrad Med J. 2013 Jun;89(1052):340-5.