[Spontaneous rupture of the abdominal wall in cirrhotic patients with ascites]

The abdominal wall hernia is a common finding in cirrhotic patients. Spontaneous disruption of the abdominal wall through these herniae is an uncommon complication, is associated with a high mortality and should be considered a gastroenterologic emergency. It occurs through a skin ulceration over the hernia in the 70% of all cases. Intravascular expansion plus long antibiotic prophylaxis with anti-staphylococcal agents are the mainstays of medical therapy. The definitive treatment must be surgical. Each case must be evaluated individually to determine the optimal surgical management, not necessarily on an emergent basis. We report three new cases surviving this complication.