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The key to avoiding the development of a Horner syndrome after sympathectomy entails a thorough appreciation of the appropriate surgical anatomy, avoidance of violent manipulation and traction of the sympathetic chain, and the avoidance of diathermy on the sympathetic chain. The adherence to these principles has consigned Horner syndrome after sympathectomy as an entity of historical interest.

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Background: Sepsis and septic shock are leading causes of mortality world-wide. In patients outside the intensive care unit (ICU) a rising qSOFA (quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score correlates with mortality risk. We sought to investigate if the duration of a qSOFA score ≥ 2 prior to ICU admission further affects outcomes, namely: ICU mortality, in-hospital mortality and length of ICU stay. Method: A retrospective chart review was performed using the electronic ICU database at a quaternary level hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, examining entries from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017. The review included 235 emergency in-hospital adult admissions with suspected infection, of which 144 had a qSOFA score ≥ 2 prior to ICU admission. Results: There was no significant association between the duration of a qSOFA score ≥ 2 prior to ICU admission and ICU mortality (p = 0.975), in-hospital mortality (p = 0.918) and length of ICU stay until demise (p = 0.848) or discharge (p = 0.624). The qSOFA score was significantly associated with ICU mortality with scores of 0, 1, 2 and 3 resulting in ICU mortality rates of 0%, 22.5%, 53.7% and 84.6% respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The duration of a qSOFA score ≥ 2 prior to emergency ICU admission was not significantly associated with ICU mortality, in-hospital mortality or length of ICU stay in adults with suspected infection.