Apparent traumatic perforation of the bowel in tetanus. A case report

A case of severe tetanus complicated by intestinal perforation is described. Because of the nature of the treatment in tetanus, the diagnosis was missed for several weeks and the patient's life consequently put at great risk. The possibility that the perforation may have resulted from extreme intra-abdominal pressure changes during spasms is discussed as well as the difficulties of managing such complications in an intensive care unit.