title: Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome at the Prague Burn Centre 1998-2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are skin disorders characterized by extensive necrosis of the mucous membranes and the epidermis caused by an autoimmune response.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present experience of treating TEN and SJS at the Prague Burn Centre (PBC) 1998-2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  22 patients with the diagnosis TEN or SJS were enrolled. We collected data including the extent of the skin involvement, the ratio of men:women, the average age, the mortality rate, presence of comorbidities, the length of hospital stay, the period from the first symptoms to the admission to the PBC, corticosteroids administration prior to admission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  82% patients had injuries larger than 30% of body surface area. The ratio of men:women was 1 : 1.5; the average age was 48.4 years; the mortality was 32%. Significant comorbidities were present in 41% of the cases. The average length of hospital stay was 12.9 days. The period from the first symptoms to the admission to the PBC was 9.6 days; corticosteroids were administered to 68% of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment strategies at the PBC are based upon a multidisciplinary approach and focus on the general principles of treating patients with extensive skin loss. Corticosteroids must be avoided, antibiotics are not indicated and intravenous immunoglobulins are not justified in the standard therapy. Early diagnosis, prompt transport to a burn center are essential for patients outcomes. The medical community should be informed about these rare but potentially life threatening diseases.
authors.affiliation: Prague Burn Centre, Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine and Teaching Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic. zajicekrobert@seznam.cz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zajicek
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pintar
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Broz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suca
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Königova
mesh_terms: D002053:Burn Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018153:Czech Republic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*