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Massive Pneumoperitoneum And Pneumoretroperitoneum After Gastroscopy

Report of a case and review of the literature

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The American Journal of Digestive Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

1. The risk of perforation in flexible gastroscopy has been reviewed.

2. A case of pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumomediastinum occurring after gastroscopy has been reported. Treatment was conservative and the course benign.

3. A review of the cases of pneumoperitoneum in the literature and the probable mechanism of their production has been presented. An additional possible etiologic factor of tear at the esophagogastric junction has been suggested.

4. Treatment of the condition has been discussed. Achlorhydria is not considered a contraindication to conservative therapy.

5. The prognosis of pneumoperitoneum after gastroscopy, treated conservatively, is excellent.

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Author notes

  1. David Katz M.D.

    Present address: Gastrointestinal Clinic, Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York City

Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Department of Medicine and Surgery, VA Hospital, West Haven, Conn.

    David Katz M.D. & Sydney Selesnick M.D.

  2. Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.

    David Katz M.D. & Sydney Selesnick M.D.

  3. 175 Crary Ave., Mt. Vernon, N. Y.

    David Katz M.D. & Sydney Selesnick M.D.

Authors
  1. David Katz M.D.
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  2. Sydney Selesnick M.D.
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Additional information

Reviewed in the Veterans Administration and published with the approval of the Chief Medical Director. The statements and conclusions published by the authors are a result of their own study and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of the Veterans Administration.

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Katz, D., Selesnick, S. Massive Pneumoperitoneum And Pneumoretroperitoneum After Gastroscopy. Digest Dis Sci 1, 512–520 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02236124

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02236124

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