Retropneumoperitoneum with pneumoperitoneum after rectal perforation resulting from endoscopic polypectomy. A case report

SUMMARY A case of simultaneous retropneumoperitoneum and pneumoperitoneum resulting from an endoscopic polypectomy of a sessile polyp has been reported. According to the current data, we consider that the cause of the above rare clinical picture was the perforation of the extraperitoneal part of the rectum and leakage of air into retroperitoneal space. From there, the air found access to the peritoneal space following the mesocolonis blood vessels, through a microrupture of the bowelis serosa or of the posterior peritoneum. These microperforations could not be detected during the laparotomy.