Toxic shock syndrome following latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap breast reconstruction

Acute toxic shock syndrome (TSS) not related to menstruation has comprised an increasing proportion of cases reported to the Center for Disease Control in recent years. We report a patient with TSS resulting from a postoperative donor site infection after bilateral breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps. The diagnosis, management, and outcome of TSS are reviewed. The plastic surgeon should be aware of TSS as a potential postoperative complication of routine procedures in plastic surgery.