Pneumoperitoneum following Jacuzzi usage.
A 56-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain after using a Jacuzzi hours earlier. Abdominal radiographs revealed intra-peritoneal free gas and, as she presented symptomatically, a laparotomy was performed. This revealed fluid and gas but no visceral perforation or intra-abdominal pathology to account for this. Peritoneal lavage was performed and the patient made an unremarkable recovery. Various causes of pneumoperitoneum have been described in the literature and both conservative and operative treatment recommended. We are unaware of any other reports of Jacuzzi-induced pneumoperitoneum and describe it as an entity to be considered in abdominal pain secondary to the use of similar types of device.
Inston
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Department of Surgery, Worcester Royal Infirmary, UK. nickinston@yahoo.com
Lake
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S
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy