Abstract

SANCHEZ BEORLEGUI, Jesús et al. Puerperal peritonitis due to vernix caseosa. Rev. gastroenterol. Perú [online]. 2009, vol.29, n.1, pp.61-65. ISSN 1022-5129.

Vernix caseosa peritonitis (VCP) is a complication caused by inflammatory response to amniotic fluid spilled into the maternal peritoneal cavity during a cesarean section. The physiopathology mechanisms are still incompletely understood. However, keratin granulomas could be induced by the squamous cells inside the vernix. In spite of its infrequent condition this entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain and acute abdomen in the post-partum after cesarean section. In this article, we present a case of VCP, and we discuss the clinical and histopathologic findings that allow its prompt recognition as well as to guide us towards the correct surgical and therapeutic technique.

Keywords : Cesarean section; Puerperal peritonitis; Vernix caseosa; Surgical complications.

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