Damage Control Management of Perforating Pyometra Presenting with Septic Shock after the Return of Spontaneous Circulation

Abstract

Introduction. Perforation of pyometra is often severe but rare. We report a case of pyometra detected on second-look surgery in an elderly patient with life-threatening septic shock and cardiopulmonary arrest before hospital arrival. Case Presentation. A 70-year-old woman with cardiopulmonary arrest received adrenaline. Computed tomography revealed ascites, and abdominal paracentesis was performed to identify the cause of cardiopulmonary arrest. The ascitic fluid was purulent, and intraperitoneal infection was identified. Emergency exploratory laparotomy revealed pyometra. Conclusion. If perforated, pyometra may cause peritonitis and lethal septic shock. Not only gynecologists but also emergency physicians should be aware of this possibility. Moreover, patient education is necessary. In patients with cardiopulmonary arrest, diagnostic abdominal paracentesis should be performed when the sole imaging finding is ascites. Improving outcomes in patients with difficult-to-diagnose pyometra with cardiopulmonary arrest by implementing damage control strategies before hysterectomy is possible.