Localised Herpes Simplex Following Midline Laparotomy

An older man with Crohn's disease underwent emergency laparotomy for small bowel perforation. A peri-incisional vesiculobullous eruption developed 5days later. Histopathology demonstrated viral cytopathic changes, immunohistochemistry was positive for herpes simplex virus and HSV-1 DNA confirmed by polymerase chain reaction test, representing the first reported case of localised herpes simplex following abdominal surgery.