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Gastric rupture after the Heimlich maneuver
1Department of General Surgery, Gundersen Clinic/Lutheran Hospital, LaCrosse, Wisconsin 53821, USA.
The Journal of Trauma
|January 1, 1996
Summary
The Heimlich maneuver can cause gastric rupture, a rare but serious complication. Persistent abdominal pain or distention after the maneuver warrants evaluation for this potentially fatal injury.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- The Heimlich maneuver, a standard first-aid procedure for choking, has been used since 1975.
- While effective for upper airway obstruction, rare but severe complications have been reported.
Observation:
- This report details two cases of gastric rupture following the Heimlich maneuver.
- Both patients presented with pulmonary and abdominal symptoms.
Findings:
- Diagnosis was confirmed by identifying free intraperitoneal air on chest X-rays.
- Full-thickness gastric rupture along the lesser curvature was surgically repaired in both cases.
- One patient unfortunately died from the complication.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider gastric rupture in patients with abdominal pain or distention post-Heimlich maneuver.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are critical for managing this life-threatening complication.