Surgical Management of Emphysematous Gastritis in a Postpartum Female: A Case Report and Literature Review

Emphysematous gastritis is a form of gastritis characterized by both gastric inflammation and the presence of intramural gas. Its occurrence is rare, and its presentation is non-specific. Consequently, no definitive guidelines for management have been outlined. We herein detail the diagnosis and surgical management of a female with complicated emphysematous gastritis following a cesarean section delivery. In light of the gastric ischemia noted on esophagogastroduodenoscopy, the decision was made to proceed with surgical management to ascertain the extent of necrosis. Following a partial gastrectomy, the patient had an uneventful postoperative course and met feeding milestones. Given the high morbidity rate of emphysematous gastritis and the success of our intervention, we propose the utilization of exploratory laparoscopy/laparotomy in patients with identified or highly suspected gastric ischemia. This aids in the characterization of ischemia and guides decision-making on the extent of gastric resection (partial versus complete gastrectomy).