Tension pneumoperitoneum after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
OBJECTIVE
To increase awareness of the unusual complication of pneumoperitoneum after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.


METHODS
A 57-year-old male farmer with a history of chronic renal failure and heart disease, as well as severe oesophageal reflux for which fundoplication had been performed, developed a tension pneumoperitoneum after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This resulted in lower limb cyanosis and an erection, a previously unreported complication.


RESULTS
The tension was relieved by uncapping a peritoneal dialysis catheter that was in situ. The cyanosis and erection resolved immediately, suggesting that the tension pneumoperitoneum had caused significant venous obstruction. A 3 cm defect in the posterior wall of the stomach was repaired.


CONCLUSIONS
The likelihood of pneumoperitoneum is reduced if standard guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation are adhered to.
Cameron
P A
PA
Alfred Hospital, Prahran, VIC.
Rosengarten
P L
PL
Johnson
W R
WR
Dziukas
L
L
D000005:Abdomen; D003490:Cyanosis / Q000209:etiology; D005121:Extremities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013275:Stomach Rupture / Q000209:etiology; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology