Gastric outlet obstruction due to starch granuloma and peritonitis

Starch peritonitis (SP), is a relatively rare surgical complication. This together with a puzzling acute clinical pattern, makes diagnosis more difficult. We describe a child who developed a full blown SP mimicking gastric outlet obstruction, 3 weeks after an antireflux procedure. We would like to stress the importance of making the correct preoperative diagnosis, in order to spare the patient an unnecessary operation. This may be difficult.