Benign pneumoperitoneum following median sternotomy incision.
AJR Am J Roentgenol, 1978/8;131(2):267-9.
PMID: 98006
Impact factor: 6.582
Abstract
Because of the close anatomic relationship of the pericardium, diaphragm, and peritoneal cavity, a benign pneumoperitoneum may occur following median sternotomy incision and cardiac surgery. The pneumoperitoneum results from inadvertent opening of the peritoneal cavity during the initial surgical incision or during the subsequent cardiac surgery. It is generally of no significance to the patient, although it must be distinguished from pneumoperitoneum occuring secondary to intraabdominal pathology or to retrograde dissection of extraalveolar air in patients on ventilatory support. Two illustrative cases are presented.
MeSH terms
Aged; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumoperitoneum; Radiography; Sternum; Surgical Procedures, Operative
More resources
EndNote: Download