A case of tetanus mimicking acute abdomen

Gungor B. B., Karakose O., Topgul K.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY, cilt.23, sa.2, ss.62-64, 2007 (ESCI) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Editöre Mektup
  • Cilt numarası: 23 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2007
  • Dergi Adı: TURKISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.62-64
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Tetanus, acute abdomen, laparotomy
  • Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Acute abdomen presenting with generalized abdominal rigidity is usually considered as a surgical emergency. Tetanus infection may also cause abdominal rigidity as in an acute abdomen. Latency of sign and symptoms of tetanus and/or the unawareness of the physician may lead to an unnecessary laparotomy. The nonimmunized middle aged and elderly people of lower socioeconomical status especially in the rural areas are at higher risk of tetanus.