Red Man Syndrome Diagnosed in an Orthopedic Patient

Red man syndrome (RMS) is an allergic reaction to vancomycin. Following an intravenous administration of vncomycin, it manifests as a rash on the face, neck, and upper trunk. No such incident has ever been documented in Ghana. Here, we talk about a rare incident of RMS in an orthopedic patient. She received 500 mg of intravenous Vancomycin, which was given over 5 min. She showed signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction 90 s after the administration of the drug and was further resuscitated for about 30 min. She underwent surgery successfully, recovered fully, and was discharged home in a stable condition. Common signs and symptoms of RMS include nausea, malaise, hypotension, and an erythematous rash on the face, arms, and upper trunk. Early resuscitative measures are paramount in preventing severe complications, including cardiac arrest.