Social considerations in surgical management of Flood syndrome: a case report

Abstract

Flood syndrome, first described by Dr. Frank Flood in 1961, is a rare condition involving the leakage of ascitic fluid through a ruptured ventral hernia. Most commonly, it occurs in patients with advanced, decompensated liver cirrhosis leading to significant amounts of ascites. Currently, there is no standard of care for Flood syndrome due to its very rare nature. Our case report details the medical, surgical and social aspects of a 45-year-old unhoused male with Flood syndrome with post-surgical complications and subsequent infection. This paper aims to add to the sparse literature on Flood syndrome and to discuss some of the complications and treatment approaches for this condition.