Plasma exchange in the successful treatment of severe drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's disease)

Abstract

Five patients with severe drag-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis improved rapidly after one to two plasma exchanges. The improvement of all five patients treated with plasmapheresis contrasts with the disease's mortality rate of up to 50%, as reported in the literature and as observed among our previously treated patients. Since there is no effective treatment for toxic epidermal necrolysis, a controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of plasma exchange would seem worthwhile.