Pneumoperitoneum after cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a therapeutic dilemma

Abstract

We report a patient who developed pneumoperitoneum after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Ten cases have been reported in the literature. Despite the patient's serious condition, celiotomy was performed to rule out perforation of a hollow viscus and none was found. The likelihood of visceral perforation in this setting is high and despite increasing recognition of pneumoperitoneum that does not require surgical intervention, nonoperative management should not be entertained in this setting unless visceral perforation can be excluded.