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Four cases of aggressive MRSA wound infection following head and neck surgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

M. Parton ,
N. J. P. Beasley ,
G. Harvey ,
D. Houghton  and
A.S. Jones
M. Parton
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Universityof Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
N. J. P. Beasley*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Universityof Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
G. Harvey
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
D. Houghton
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Universityof Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
A.S. Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Universityof Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
*
Address of correspondence: Mr. N. Beasley, F.R.C.S., Specialist Registrar, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GA. Fax: 0151 706 4057
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Abstract

Four cases of serious MRSA wound infection following head and neck surgery have been identified. One patient died. At post mortem a mediastinal abscess containing MRSA was found to have eroded into the innominate artery causing fatal haemorrhage. The other three suffered serious wound infections, two requiring further surgery. Once MRSA hadbeen identified they were treated with intravenous teicoplanin and all made a full recovery.

Keywords

Methicillin resistanceHead and neck neoplasmsSurgeryTeicoplanin
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 111 , Issue 9 , September 1997 , pp. 874 - 876
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1997

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References

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