Non-perforated Traumatic Pneumoperitoneum in Maxillofacial Trauma: A Compelling Case Report.

ABSTRACT

Pneumoperitoneum typically results from intraabdominal gas due to gastrointestinal perforation, with exploratory laparotomy serving as the standard management. While non-surgical causes are well established, instances where pneumoperitoneum lacks an identifiable cause even after laparotomy are sparsely documented. Here, we present a case involving a 22-year-old male who, following a high-velocity road traffic injury resulting in a panfacial fracture, exhibited gross subcutaneous emphysema in the neck, pneumomediastinum, and pneumoperitoneum. This report aims to contribute to the growing understanding of such cases, potentially leading to the development of a management protocol that may help avoid unnecessary laparotomies in similar scenarios.