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Gastric rupture in a diver due to rapid ascent
Nadan M Petri1, Lena Vranjković-Petri, Nebojsa Aras
1Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Department, Naval Medical Institute, P.O. 196 (HRM), 21000 Split, Croatia. nadan.petri@morh.hr
Abstract:
A 37-year-old, experienced female diver developed gastric rupture due to rapid ascent from a depth of 37 meters. The incident was preceded by a heavy meal, intake of soda beverages, swallowing of air and water under water, and panic. Sharp abdominal pain was present immediately after surfacing and afterwards. Full abdominal distension developed within two hours after the ascent. No other diving-related pathology was found. Surgery was performed around three hours after the accident and revealed pneumoperitoneum, gastric rupture, gastric content in the abdomen cavity, and signs of acute peritonitis. On surgery, a 4-cm rupture of the lesser curvature was found and sutured. The patient was discharged eight days after the event.