Clinical cases of nonsurgical pneumoperitoneum: categorizing the disease and treatment options

Because he was stable, no other therapeutic interventions were performed. Ultrasound was negative for gallstones, but a CT of the abdomen showed pneumoperitoneum with no contrast extravasation or inflammation. Because of her right-sided pain and CT findings she was taken for diagnostic laparoscopy, which showed no visceral perforation or free fluid. The air introduced during laparotomy will resolve within two to five days in 97 per cent of cases.4 However, these findings are related to laparotomy, and not laparoscopy or endoscopy. [...]there is no set standard by which to gage postoperative pneumoperitoneum in these cases.