Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-24-2020

Comments

This article is the author’s final published version in BMC Surgery, Volume 20, Issue 1, May 2020, Article number 110.

The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-020-00732-9. Copyright © Shirazi et al.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcer perforation in the early post-cesarean period is rare but may result in maternal mortality.

CASE PRESENTATION: Four cases of post-cesarean peptic ulcer perforation are presented. In all four patients, presentations include peritoneal signs such as acute abdominal pain and progressive distention, hemodynamic instability and intraperitoneal free fluid by ultrasound. Laparotomy and repair were done in all 4 cases. There were 2 maternal deaths. We also have reviewed English literature for the similar cases reported from 1940 to March 2019.

CONCLUSION: New onset tachycardia, abdominal pain and progressive distension after cesarean section without congruent changes in hemoglobin should raise concerns for intra-abdominal emergencies including perforated peptic ulcer. Early use of ultrasound should be considered to assist in diagnosis. Coordinated care by an obstetrician and a general surgeon is necessary in presence of any unusual postoperative abdominal pain. Early recognition of the disease is imperative to limit the surgical delay and to improve the outcomes.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

PubMed ID

32448234

Language

English

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