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Vernix Caseosa Peritonitis Causing Acute Abdomen After Cesarean Section: A Case Series

C. Yang, E. Eykman, C. J. Smith, James Bacon, Jonathan M. Morris, Rodney J. Baber, S. Seeho

The American journal of case reports, 2022

8 citations

Abstract

Case series Patients: Female, 30-year-old • Female, 39-year-old • Female, 33-year-old Final Diagnosis: Vernix caseosa peritonitis Symptoms: Abdominal pain • fever • leukocytosis Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Cesarean section Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology Objective: Rare disease Background: Vernix caseosa peritonitis (VCP) is a rare complication that typically presents following an otherwise uneventful cesarean section. Leakage of vernix caseosa into the peritoneum is thought to elicit a granulomatous foreign body reaction. Symptoms can be similar to other acute abdominal conditions, and diagnosis is confirmed by intraoperative findings and histological examination. Peritoneal lavage with supportive measures is the mainstay of treatment and recovery. Case Reports: Case 1 was a 30-year-old woman who developed right iliac fossa pain, fever, tachycardia, and tachypnea less than a week after her lower segment cesarean section (LSCS). She underwent a laparoscopy for a peritonitic abdomen and concern for intra-abdominal sepsis. A peritoneal biopsy demonstrated histological changes consistent with VCP. Case 2 was a 39-year-old woman who underwent a LSCS. After discharge, she re-presented with generalized abdominal pain. With computed tomography (CT) scan findings suggestive of appendicitis, an appendectomy was performed, and vernix caseosa was detected in all quadrants. Case 3 was a 33-year-old woman who presented with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and iliac fossa pain 9…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.

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