Non-surgical pneumoperitoneum and pneumoretroperitoneum associated with mechanical ventilation

Abstract

We present two rare cases of mechanical ventilation-associated barotrauma presenting with pneumoperitoneum and pneumoretroperitoneum separately. Pneumoperitoneum and pneumoretroperitoneum are not always associated with a hollow viscous perforation and can be seen due to barotrauma as a consequence of the Macklin effect.

Keywords

• pneumothorax
• pneumoperitoneum
• macklin effect