Surgical intervention for the complications of meningococcal-induced purpura fulminans

Purpura fulminans is an infrequent but sometimes catastrophic illness that usually complicates a viral, rickettsial or bacterial infection. This communication presents a retrospective review of 152 patients with meningococcemia hospitalized at Children's Medical Center of Dallas from January, 1983, through December, 1993. Eighteen (11.9%) of the 152 patients developed purpura fulminans. Thirteen (72%) of the 18 patients with purpura fulminans needed one or more surgeries including skin grafts, local debridement, microvascular flaps or amputations. Five patients (28%) died.