Rhabdomyolysis with acute anuria renal failure caused by surgical injection-induced tetanus in an adult.

Tetanus is a rapidly progressive infection characterised by painful spasms and muscular rigidity with a series of complications including airway obstruction, respiratory failure, pulmonary infection, heart arrhythmias and acute kidney injury. Rhabdomyolysis with acute anuria renal failure is rarely reported as a complication in tetanus. We present a case of an adult who suffered from rhabdomyolysis combined with acute anuria renal failure caused by surgical injection-induced tetanus. This patient was treated with tetanus immunoglobulin, control of muscle spasm, mechanical ventilation and haemoperfusion plus continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVH). The patient fully recovered and was discharged from hospital 5 weeks after admission. Good bowel preparation is an important prerequisite for preventing tetanus in a haemorrhoids operation. Effective control of muscle spasms with neuromuscular blockers and early administration of haemoperfusion plus CVVH are vital to the treatment of tetanus-induced rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure. © Royal College of Physicians 2021. All rights reserved.