Cruz-Ramos J, Pérez-Fernández LF, Herrera-García W, Granados-Navas FJ

Language: Spanish
References: 15
Page: 168-173
PDF size: 553.08 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Pneumoperitoneum is the presence of air within the cavity peritoneal. The most common cause and the first thing to rule out is a perforated hollow viscus. However there are causes that cannot be attributed to this etiology, constituting what has been called non-surgical, asymptomatic, benign or idiopathic pneumoperitoneum. One of these pneumomediastinum and/or pneumothorax as complications of mechanical ventilation and usually coexist. Its pathophysiological mechanism is the passage of air through the anatomic communications between the thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity. We report 4 cases of pneumoperitoneum caused by barotrauma which are exceptional. This problem may or may not show radiographic pneumomediastinum and/or pneumothorax. This poses a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. The approach to solve this dilemma is based primarily on a clinical history, physical examination and complementary tests, as well as the patient’s history.

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