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Scrotal and abdominal skin necrosis complicating intravenous vasopressin therapy for bleeding esophageal varices

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Abstract

Two patients with severe liver disease developed scrotal necrosis after intravenous vasopressin infusion for bleeding esophageal varices. One of these patients also developed anterior abdominal wall skin necrosis. Although ischemic complications secondary to vasopressin are probably not totally avoidable, attention to hypovolemia, concomitantly administered pressor drugs, patient position, and points of local pressure may decrease the likelihood of these previously unreported complications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2211 Lomas Blvd., N.E., 87131, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Howard K. Gogel MD (Associate Investigator, Albuquerque VA Medical Center), Ronald W. Sherman MD, USAF (Captain) & Larry E. Becker MD

  2. Division of Dermatology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 87131, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Howard K. Gogel MD (Associate Investigator, Albuquerque VA Medical Center), Ronald W. Sherman MD, USAF (Captain) & Larry E. Becker MD

  3. Albuquerque Veterans Administration Medical Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Howard K. Gogel MD (Associate Investigator, Albuquerque VA Medical Center), Ronald W. Sherman MD, USAF (Captain) & Larry E. Becker MD

Authors
  1. Howard K. Gogel MD
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  2. Ronald W. Sherman MD, USAF
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  3. Larry E. Becker MD
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Gogel, H.K., Sherman, R.W. & Becker, L.E. Scrotal and abdominal skin necrosis complicating intravenous vasopressin therapy for bleeding esophageal varices. Digest Dis Sci 30, 460–464 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01318179

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01318179

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