Spontaneous rupture of the abdominal wall in cirrhotic patients with ascites
Castellote, J.; Xiol, X.; Fernández Esparrach, G.; Baliellas, C.; Rota Roca, R.; Casais, L.
Revista Espanola de Enfermedades Digestivas Organo Oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Patologia Digestiva 79(6): 433-435
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 1130-0108 PMID: 1832913 Document Number: 380502
The abdominal wall hernia is a common finding in cirrhotic patients. Spontaneous disruption of the abdominal wall through these herniae is an uncommon complication, is associated with a high mortality and should be considered a gastroenterologic emergency. It occurs through a skin ulceration over the hernia in the 70% of all cases. Intravascular expansion plus long antibiotic prophylaxis with anti-staphylococcal agents are the mainstays of medical therapy. The definitive treatment must be surgical. Each case must be evaluated individually to determine the optimal surgical management, not necessarily on an emergent basis. We report three new cases surviving this complication.