Severe chemical peritonitis caused by spontaneous rupture of an ovarian mature cystic teratoma - A case report

BACKGROUND: Rupture of an ovarian cyst may cause chemical peritonitis. When an ovarian cyst ruptures spontaneously, an emergency operation is usually performed, and the chemical peritonitis is alleviated by irrigating the abdominal cavity. This appears to be the only report of prolonged chemical peritonitis. CASE: A spontaneously ruptured ovarian mature cystic teratoma was left untreated for > 2 weeks, and chemical peritonitis lasted for I year. The peritonitis required administration of a synthetic adrenal corticosteroid and an immunosuppressive antimetabolite. CONCLUSION: It is important to perform an operation immediately when spontaneous rupture of an ovarian cyst is suspected. For therapeutic purposes, spilled ovarian cyst fluid should be eliminated as soon as possible to prevent prolonged chemical peritonitis.