Over-transfusion ascites

A 12-year-old girl was injured in a traffic accident and suffered fractures of all the long bones of both legs. During the operation she received 10 l of lactated Ringer's solution, 3 l of 0.9% NaCl, and 2 l of 5% glucose, until blood was available, because of difficulty in its cross-matching. Her hemoglobin dropped to 4.9 g%. After the operation a distension of the abdomen was noted. An abdominal tap confirmed ascites. A simultaneous intravenous pyelogram and retrograde cystogram revealed no leakage from the urinary tract. An over-transfusion ascites was diagnosed combined with pulmonary edema. The patient was treated for 2 days in the ICU, until she was transferred to the orthopedic department with no signs of ascites.