Tetanus after a resection for a gangrenous perforated small intestine: report of a case.
We report herein the case of a 75-year-old man who developed severe tetanus 24 h after the resection of a gangrenous perforated small intestine. It seemed that the tetanus was caused by a spillage of the intestinal contents harboring Clostridium tetani; however, this was not identified by a culture. The diagnosis of tetanus was made only when opisthotonus in this patient became evident and normal tetanus treatment proved to be successful.
Furui
J
J
Department of Surgery II, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki City, Japan.
Enjyoji
A
A
Susumu
S
S
Okudaira
S
S
Takayama
K
K
Kanematsu
T
T
D000368:Aged; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005734:Gangrene / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013742:Tetanus / Q000209:etiology*