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Emergency abdominal surgery and colchicine overdose.
Andrzej L Komorowski1, Jr Martin-Hidalgo Rodil
1Department of General Surgery, Hospital Virgen del Camino, Carretera de Chipiona s/n, 11540 Sanlúcar de Barrameda (CADIZ), Spain.
Journal of Emergencies, Trauma, and Shock
|December 19, 2012
Summary
A colchicine overdose caused severe abdominal symptoms and multiorgan failure, leading to patient death. Surgeons must recognize colchicine overdose symptoms, as they can mimic acute abdominal conditions.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Colchicine is a medication commonly used for gout and familial Mediterranean fever.
- Unrecognized colchicine overdose can lead to severe toxicity and multiorgan failure.
- Acute abdominal symptoms are a common presentation of colchicine toxicity.
Observation:
- A patient presented with acute abdominal symptoms suggestive of surgical emergencies.
- The patient rapidly progressed to multiorgan failure despite intensive supportive care.
- Explorative laparotomy was negative, and the patient died within 16 hours.
Findings:
- The patient's acute abdominal symptoms were attributed to an unrecognized colchicine overdose.
- Colchicine overdose can present with gastrointestinal symptoms mimicking surgical abdominal conditions.
- Multiorgan failure is a critical complication of severe colchicine toxicity.
Implications:
- Colchicine overdose should be considered in patients presenting with acute abdominal symptoms, especially if refractory to initial treatment.
- Awareness of colchicine toxicity presentation is crucial for emergency department physicians and surgeons.
- Early recognition and management of colchicine overdose may improve patient outcomes and prevent fatal complications.
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