Flood Syndrome: A Rare and Fatal Complication of Umbilical Hernia in Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract

Flood syndrome, first reported in 1961 by Frank B Flood, refers to spontaneous umbilical hernia rupture followed by a sudden rush of ascitic fluid. It is a rare sequela in the setting of refractory ascites and liver cirrhosis. Clues to impending rupture include color changes, ulceration, or necrosis over the umbilical hernia that warrants urgent surgical intervention. In this report, we present a unique case of Flood syndrome in a patient with decompensated cirrhosis and umbilical hernia. The patient underwent urgent umbilical herniorrhaphy without mesh; even though adequate postoperative management of ascites was performed, the patient still developed other comorbidities.