Toxic shock syndrome after laminaria insertion.

BACKGROUND

Laminaria tents used to facilitate surgical abortion are rarely associated with significant infectious morbidity.

CASE: A parous woman in midpregnancy had laminaria placed in her cervix followed by a second set after 24 hours. Eight hours later, she presented with dyspnea, hives, fever, tachycardia, and hypotension. Antibiotic treatment was initiated and a dilation and evacuation procedure was performed. Amniotic membrane cultures showed a heavy growth of Staphylococcus aureus with staphylococcal enterotoxin C expression, compatible with toxic shock syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Laminaria cervical dilation might be associated with toxic shock syndrome.