Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Vernix caseosa peritonitis (VCP) is a rare and poorly recognised condition resulting from a sustained foreign body reaction to the vernix caseosa of the baby. This case-based review aims to highlight its importance for any medical team managing patients with peritonitis who have undergone a recent Caesarean section.
CASE REPORT: A 31-year-old woman presented 5 weeks after a Caesarean section with symptoms and signs of peritonitis.
CONCLUSIONS: Laparotomy and peritoneal lavage is the mainstay of treatment for VCP. Knowledge of the condition may stop inadvertent resection of normal intra-abdominal organs. Greater awareness of VCP is required to ensure earlier recognition as patients can recover well following timely operative intervention.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 548-51 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England |
| Volume | 94 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2012 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Cesarean Section
- Delayed Diagnosis
- Female
- Humans
- Peritonitis/diagnosis
- Postoperative Complications/diagnosis
- Second-Look Surgery
- Vernix Caseosa