Localized intra- and retroperitoneal gas collections following intraoperative use of surgical gelatine sponge.

Following recent intra- or retroperitoneal surgery, four children in whom hemostasis was obtained by means of abundant use of surgical gelatine sponge, displayed unusual bubbly air collections in the region of the operation. Three of them had vague inflammatory symptoms and signs, while in the fourth the gas was discovered incidentally. The connection between the radiological finding and the hemostatic agent is presented. In the typical case manifesting a mild clinical course, knowledge of this association helps to guard against the diagnosis of abscess, and subsequent unnecessary reoperation can be avoided.