Endogenous gas gangrene after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

West Indian Med J. 2011 Jan;60(1):96-8.

Abstract

Clostridial gas gangrene of the abdominal wall is rare, and it is usually associated with organ perforation, immunosuppression or gastrointestinal malignancies. In this paper we present a case of fulminant, endogenous gas gangrene in a 58-year old diabetic female with arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis, following uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. She developed gas gangrene of the abdominal wall 12-hours after cholecystectomy and died 24-hours after the onset of the first symptoms, in spite of treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Wall / microbiology*
  • Atherosclerosis / complications
  • Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / adverse effects*
  • Clostridium Infections / diagnosis*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Gas Gangrene / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Middle Aged