VERNIX CASEOSA - AN UNUSUAL CAUSE OF POST CESAREAN-SECTION PERITONITIS

Surgeons should be aware of a very unusual cause of post-cesarean sect ion peritonitis. This rare form of peritonitis is caused by the spilla ge of vernix caseosa material into the peritoneal cavity. The exact me chanism of the development of peritonitis in these few cases is unknow n,Clinically, vernix caseosa peritonitis should be considered in the p ost-cesarean section acute abdomen after excluding the more common cau ses of peritonitis such as appendicitis and perforated viscus. Intraop eratively, the presence of cheese-like yellow patches limited to the s erosal layer of visceral organs is the most characteristic feature. Hi stopathological examination of these serosal patches reveal the desqua mated anuclear squamous cells confirming the diagnosis. Postoperative treatment with antibiotics should be continued. The addition of steroi ds (only after confirming the diagnosis pathologically) has a signific ant effect on improving the clinical outcome.