title: Free peritoneal perforation in a patient with Crohn's disease - Report of a case.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bowel perforation with free peritoneal air is a rare complication of Crohn's disease (CD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a 36 year-old male patient, with history significant for CD and he presented to the emergency room with a free peritoneal perforation, which was diagnosed by abdominal X-ray and confirmed by CT scan. The patient underwent a laparotomy surgery; however, no site of perforation was identified. The surgical approach was to clean the cavity, close the abdominal wall and administer antibiotic therapy. He demonstrated good early and late postoperative outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report a rare case of free perforation to the peritoneum in a patient with CD. The most likely hypothesis is that it was a micro-colonic perforation. Antibiotic therapy and a conservative surgical approach without colon resection can be performed and it is reported in the literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Emergency conditions in CD may result in significant morbidity, but are normally associated with low mortality, if identified and treated properly.
authors: Coloproctology Unit, Department of Surgery, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: raquelleal@mpc.com.br.
authors: Raquel Franco
authors: RF
authors: Leal
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Ward
authors: Maria de Lourdes Setsuko
authors: Mde L
authors: Ayrizono
authors: Nielce Maria
authors: NM
authors: de Paiva
authors: Emanuelle
authors: E
authors: Bellaguarda
authors: Débora Helena Gonçalves
authors: DH
authors: Rossi
authors: Natália Pranzetti
authors: NP
authors: Vieira
authors: João José
authors: JJ
authors: Fagundes
authors: Cláudio Saddy
authors: CS
authors: Rodrigues Coy