A Case Report of Gangrenous Small Bowel Obstruction in an Antenatal Women
Abstract:
Gangrenous intestinal
obstruction during pregnancy is a rare and life-threatening non-obstetric
surgical emergency that may result in maternal and fetal mortality. These patients were often confronted with a
diagnostic and therapeutic challenge since the condition is rare and
overlapping of symptoms occurs. It also raises concerns over radiological
evaluation and the risk involved with surgery and anaesthesia. The diagnosis is
delayed due to common and overlapping symptoms and also inhibition to carry out
ionising radiological investigations in pregnancy which could be harmful to the
fetus. Antenatal women, 29 years old at 28 weeks of gestation presented with
abdominal pain and fever. Ultrasound done immediately showed adherence of small
bowel loops suggestive of intestinal obstruction. She was taken up for
emergency laparotomy and proceeded with resection of the gangrenous segment
completed with anastomosis. The postoperative period was uneventful. The
patient was stable on discharge. Prompt diagnosis should be made and the
appropriate treatment should be taken as soon as possible. Surgical
intervention should be taken if necessary as earlier diagnosis and management
decreases morbidity and mortality.
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