Spontaneous cecum perforation following rectus abdominis free flap transfer for isolated lower limb trauma

A case of a 32-year-old motorcyclist, who sustained an open comminuted fracture of the left tibia and subsequently developed spontaneous cecal perforation following successful fixation of the fracture and reconstruction of the soft tissue defect with a rectus abdominis free flap, is reported. Although benign cecal perforation has been described in patients with thermal burns and blunt trauma of the abdomen or pelvis, our association has not been reported previously in the medical literature. It is important to recognize cecal perforation early as it is associated with a high mortality from peritonitis and septicaemia.