Clostridial gas gangrene of the abdominal wall after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 1997 Aug;7(4):245-7. doi: 10.1089/lap.1997.7.245.

Abstract

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a considerable rate of infectious complications of up to 2.8%. Such infections are usually of minor clinical importance. However, we observed a case of life-threatening Clostridial gas gangrene centering around the right lateral port site and developing across all of the right-sided abdominal wall, causing septic shock and severe multi-organ failure. Considering the overall infection rate and the possibility of even severe morbidity, we advocate perioperative antibiotics in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Muscles / microbiology
  • Abdominal Muscles / pathology*
  • Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / adverse effects*
  • Clostridium perfringens / isolation & purification
  • Gas Gangrene / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Organ Failure / etiology
  • Shock, Septic / etiology