Treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis by a multidisciplinary team. A review of literature and treatment results.

Background: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are mucocutaneous hypersensitivity reactions, usually to drugs or their metabolites. TEN is the most severe involving greater than 30% of the total body surface area (TBSA). Management of these patients usually benefits from a large multidisciplinary team for both wound and medical management. Treatment of these patients varies between centers and physicians and there is lack of a standardized treatment protocol in the medical literature.

Objectives: To review the literature and complete a retrospective review of patients treated at Vancouver General Hospital over a 11-year period.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with SJS/TEN and treated at Vancouver General Hospital from 2001 to 2011 was completed. Data collected include patient demographics, time to transfer to a burn center, SCORTEN calculation, suspected cause of TEN, %TBSA involved, length of stay in hospital and ICU, medications, dressings, infections/cultures, fluids, mucosal involvement, teams involved, associated complications, morbidity and mortality. Data is reported quantitatively.

Results: A total of 67 patients were identified (28 SJS, 21 SJS/TEN overlap, 18 TEN). In SJS/TEN overlap and TEN patients, oral mucosa and trunk were the primary sites involved. SCORTEN calculations were highest in the TEN group. Plastic surgery was consulted in 53% of TEN cases, 52% of SJS/TEN cases and 25% of SJS cases. Patients were admitted to a burn unit in 74% of TEN cases, 57% of TEN/SJS cases and 21% of SJS cases. Time from symptoms to diagnosis and transfer to a burn unit was highest for TEN patients. Time from presentation to diagnosis was highest in SJS/TEN overlap. Triggers were identified in 67-82% of cases. Treatment varied widely. Patients were treated conservatively, with steroids, IVIg, and cyclosporine alone or in combination. Observed mortality was higher than predicted by SCORTEN for patients treated with IVIg and lower for those treated with Cyclosporin. Dressings varied greatly and were often changed throughout a patients stay. Total mortality was 20.9% being the highest in the TEN group (35%).

Conclusions: SJS and TEN are a spectrum of severe mucocutaneous reactions that have unclear treatment recommendations within the literature and within our Level 1 hospital. Information gleaned from this research will help educate physicians involved in the treatment and management of patients with these diagnoses and has resulted in development of treatment guidelines in our hospital.