Tension pneumoperitoneum (TPP), the accumulation of free intraabdominal air
under pressure, is a rare event. TPP usually occurs from bowel surgery or
bowel perforations. Less commonly, TPP occurs in the presence of pneumothor
aces or during positive pressure ventilation. Trauma has rarely been a repo
rted cause of TPP, The cases of 2 patients with TPP after blunt trauma are
reported. The pathophysiology and management of TPP are discussed. Copyrigh
t (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.