Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare, chronic inflammatory disea
se that can develop after minor trauma or surgery. Most reports of thi
s condition developing after abdominal surgery have been reported foll
owing ostomy formation. A number of systemic diseases have been associ
ated with this disorder, most commonly inflammatory bowel disease, tho
ugh 40-50% of cases have no associated systemic disease. Case: A 32-ye
ar-old woman developed spiking fever and purulent appearing wound disc
harge with a rolled erythematous border after cesarean delivery. Her c
ondition worsened despite various regimens of intravenous antibiotics
and local treatment. Pyoderma gangrenosum was diagnosed. Treatment wit
h steroids resolved the lesion, and associated systemic diseases were
not found. Conclusion: Consideration of the diagnosis of pyoderma gang
renosum in cases of apparent wound infections unresponsive to antibiot
ics should result in early diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
(C) 1998 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.