Gastric trauma following cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Three cases of gastric trauma following cardiopulmonary resuscitation are reported. In two cases there were full thickness lacerations of the gastric wall resulting in pneumoperitoneum and in one case subcutaneous emphysema. In the third case, gastric mucosal lacerations resulted in gastric haemorrhage. In all three cases it was thought that the gastric lesions did not contribute to death and were resuscitation artefacts.