A case report of endometriosis presenting as an acute small bowel obstruction

IntroductionEndometriosis is a common and benign condition that causes significant morbidity to women of childbearing age. It uncommonly affects the gastrointestinal tract and rarely manifests as an acute small bowel obstruction.Presentation of caseA 46-year old female presented to the emergency department with signs and symptoms consistent with an acute small bowel obstruction. She had a paucity of background surgical history, having only had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Her CT demonstrated small bowel obstruction with a transition point in the distal ileum. Given the site of obstruction was remote from previous surgery, a high index of suspicion was maintained and early laparoscopy performed the same day. Operative findings were consistent with an endometrial stricture of the distal ileum and a formal resection was performed.DiscussionEndometriosis that affects the gastrointestinal tract often presents with non-specific symptoms. This is a rare case of an acute small bowel obstruction as the index symptom of endometriosis in a peri-menopausal patient. This is the first case in the literature to describe same day laparoscopy and small bowel resection of such a case and a prolonged preoperative period and misdiagnoses previously described were avoided due to clinical suspicion.ConclusionEndometriosis as a differential should be considered with a high index of suspicion in pre-menopausal women, particularly in patients with negligible previous surgical history. There should be a low threshold for early laparoscopy and resection of affected bowel in these patients.     

Single-port laparoscopic treatment of small bowel obstruction

Background

The aim of this study was to report our initial experience with single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) for small bowel obstruction (SBO).

Methods

Between October 2009 and April 2013, 36 patients underwent SPLS for SBO. SPLS was performed transumbilically. Patient demographics and operative and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.

Results

SPLS for SBO was successful in 35 patients. In 1 patient, a conversion to laparotomy was required. The median incision length, operative time, and postoperative length of stay were 2.3 cm (range, 1.5 to 5.0 cm), 115 min (range, 30 to 250 min), and 8 days (range, 3 to 26 days), respectively. The median time to resume oral intake was 3 days (range, 1 to 16 days). The intra- and postoperative complication rates were 6% and 11%, respectively.

Conclusion

SPLS was a safe and feasible therapeutic approach for SBO and may also be an excellent diagnostic tool when performed by an experienced SPLS surgeon in selected patients.     

Incidence of small bowel obstruction after laparoscopic and open colon resection

Background

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is responsible for more than 1 billion dollars in health care costs yearly in the United States. We sought to evaluate whether laparoscopic colorectal surgery resulted in a decreased incidence of SBO within the first year of surgical resection compared with open surgery.

Methods

From January 2003 to December 2008, 339 patients underwent open (open colorectal resection [OPEN]) colorectal resection and 448 patients underwent laparoscopic (laparoscopic colorectal resection [LAP]) colorectal resection. Hospital admissions up to 1 year after the initial resection identified patients admitted for the management of SBO, ileus, or nausea and vomiting.

Results

During the 1st year after surgery, 6 patients in the OPEN group developed SBO, and 5 patients in the LAP group developed SBO. The overall frequency of SBO for the OPEN group was 1.8% and 1.1% for the LAP group (P < .5461).

Conclusions

Although advantages such as quicker postoperative recovery and decreased hospital stay have been attributed to laparoscopic surgery, no difference in the incidence of SBO within the 1st year of surgery was found compared with open colorectal surgery.     

Laparoscopic approach to acute small bowel obstruction: Review of 1061 cases

Background Acute small bowel obstruction has previously been considered a relative contraindication for laparoscopic management. As experience with laparoscopy grows, more surgeons are attempting laparoscopic management for this indication. The purpose of this study is to define the outcome of laparoscopy for acute small bowel obstruction through an analysis of published cases. Methods A literature search of the Medline database was performed using the key words laparoscopy and bowel obstruction. Further articles were identified from the reference lists of retrieved literature. Only English language studies were reviewed. We excluded studies that included patients with chronic abdominal pain, chronic recurrent small bowel obstruction, or gastric or colonic obstruction, when the data specific to acute small bowel obstruction could not be extracted. Data was analyzed based on an intention to treat. Results Nineteen studies from between 1994 and 2005 were identified. Laparoscopy was attempted in 1061 patients with acute small bowel obstruction. The most common etiologies of obstruction included adhesions (83.2%), abdominal wall hernia (3.1%), malignancy (2.9%), internal hernia (1.9%), and bezoars (0.8%). Laparoscopic treatment was possible in 705 cases with a conversion rate to open surgery of 33.5%. Causes of conversion were dense adhesions (27.7%), the need for bowel resection (23.1%), unidentified etiology (13.0%), iatrogenic injury (10.2%), malignancy (7.4%), inadequate visualization (4.2%), hernia (3.2%), and other causes (11.1%). Morbidity was 15.5% (152/981) and mortality was 1.5% (16/1046). There were 45 reported recognized intraoperative enterotomies (6.5%), but less than half resulted in conversion. There were, however, nine missed perforations, including one trocar injury, often resulting in significant morbidity. Early recurrence (defined as recurrence within 30 days of surgery) occurred in 2.1% (22/1046). Conclusion Laparoscopy is an effective procedure for the treatment of acute small bowel obstruction with acceptable risk of morbidity and early recurrence.     

A case report of small bowel obstruction secondary to congenital peritoneal band in adult

IntroductionSmall bowel obstruction (SBO) is common in adult surgical procedures, mainly due to postoperative adhesions. Acute SBO in adults without history of abdominal surgery, trauma or clinical hernia is less common and has various etiologies. Congenital band is an extremely rare cause.Presentation of caseA 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a two-day history of abdominal pain and bilious vomiting. He had no history of abdominal surgery or any other medical problems. A contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen showed a distention of small bowel loops with transition point in the right hypochondrium. Distended loops of small bowel were located in the left side of the abdomen, whereas collapsed loops was located in the right side. The normal bowel wall enhancement was preserved. After initial treatment with intravenous fluid and nasogastric suction, he was operated. At laparoscopy a band obstructing the ileum was clearly observed. This anomalous band extending from gallbladder to transverse mesocolon caused a small window leading to internal herniation of the small bowel and obstruction. The band was coagulated and divided. Postoperative outcome was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the second postoperative day. There was no recurrence of symptoms on subsequent follow-up.DiscussionCongenital peritoneal bands are not frequently encountered in surgical practice and these bands are often difficult to classify and define. Diagnosis of acute intestinal obstruction due to CPB must be included in the differential diagnosis in any patient with no history of abdominal surgery, trauma, clinical hernia, inflammatory bowel disease or peritoneal tuberculosis.ConclusionDespite technological advances in radiology preoperative diagnosis remains difficult, however the diagnosis of SBO due to CPB must be considered in any patient with no history of abdominal surgery, Trauma or clinical hernia consulting for occlusive syndrome. The laparoscopic approach should be intended initially for its feasibility and benefits.     

Adhesive small bowel obstruction after appendectomy in children: comparison between the laparoscopic and open approach

Introduction

Adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common postoperative complication. Published data in the pediatric literature characterizing SBO are scant. Furthermore, the relationship between the risk of SBO for a given procedure is not well described. To evaluate these parameters, we reviewed the incidence of SBO after laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and open appendectomy (OA) performed at our institution.

Methods

With institutional review board approval, all patients that developed SBO after appendectomy for appendicitis from January 1998 to June 2005 were investigated. Hospital records were reviewed to identify the details of their postappendectomy SBO. The incidences of SBO after LA and OA were compared with χ² analysis using Yates correction.

Results

During the study period, 1105 appendectomies were performed: 477 OAs (8 converted to OA during laparoscopy) and 628 LAs. After OA, 7 (6 perforated appendicitis) patients later developed SBO of which 6 required adhesiolysis. In contrast, a patient with perforated appendicitis developed SBO after LA requiring adhesiolysis (P = .01). The mean time from appendectomy to the development of intestinal obstruction for the entire group was 46 ± 32 days.

Conclusions

The overall risk of SBO after appendectomy in children is low (0.7%) and is significantly related to perforated appendicitis. Small bowel obstruction after LA appears statistically less common than OA. Laparoscopic appendectomy remains our preferred approach for both perforated and nonperforated appendectomy.     

Causes of small bowel obstruction after laparoscopic gastric bypass

Background Small bowel obstruction after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is not a rare complication, occurring in approximately 3% of patients. The goal of this study was to review the causes and timing of small bowel obstruction as an aid to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Methods The records of consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at the authors' center from 4/99 to 7/03 were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients had a laparoscopic handsewn gastrojejunostomy and a stapled jejunojej-unostomy. The Roux limb was placed retrocolically in the first 405 patients and antecolically in the next 1,310 patients. Results Altogether, 1,715 patients underwent a total laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at the authors' bariatric center. In 51 patients, 55 small bowel obstructions occurred (3%) during a median follow-up period of 21 months (range 1–52 months). Small bowel obstruction developed in 27 (7%) of the retrocolic patients, as compared with 24 (2%) of the antecolic patients (p<0.001, chi-square). The cause of small bowel obstruction were adhesive bands (n=14), obstruction at the jejunojejunostomy from kinking or narrowing (n=13), internal hernia or external compression at the transverse mesocolon (n=11), internal hernia through the jejunal mesentery (n=8) incarcerated abdominal wall hernia (n=4), and other (n=5). For patients in whom small bowel obstruction developed in the first 3 weeks after their bypass surgery bowel resection was required in 19 of 24 patients, as compared with 6 of 31 patients in whom obstruction develop after 3 weeks (p<0.001, chi-square). Conclusions Early small bowel obstructions tend to result from technical problems with the Roux limb and require revision of the bypass or small bowel resection significantly more often than late obstructions. The latter group of obstructions usually result from adhesions or hernias, which could be handled laparoscopically without bowel resection. The position of the Roux limb (retrocolic vs antecolic) appeared to influence the incidence of small bowel obstruction. In the current series, changing the position of the jejunal bypass limb from retrocolic to antecolic significantly decreased the overall incidence of small bowel obstruction because it eliminated one of the most common sites for obstruction: the mesocolon. Online publication: 13 October 2004     

Complete small bowel obstruction secondary to transomental herniation in pregnancy

During pregnancy, abdominal pain can be caused by both obstetric and non-obstetric causes. Non-obstetric causes of severe abdominal pain during pregnancy must always be considered. Complete bowel obstruction caused by an internal hernia is rare in obstetric surgical patients. Delays in diagnosis can occur due to non-specific signs and symptoms which can be present in normal pregnancy, and a reluctance to operate on the pregnant patient. Prompt diagnosis and early surgical intervention is the cornerstone for a good outcome. Surgical intervention during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of foetal loss. The use of intra-operative cardiotocography for foetal monitoring in non-obstetric surgery remains controversial.     

Recurrent small bowel obstruction secondary to jejunal diverticular enterolith: A case report

BACKGROUNDSmall bowel diverticulosis is an uncommon condition which is usually asymptomatic and is discovered incidentally. One rare complication is enteroliths forming in the diverticula causing bowel obstruction. Only a few cases of such have been described in literature, and recurrence from this aetiology has not been reported previously. This case report outlines the management of a 68-year-old male who presented with recurrent small bowel obstruction secondary to jejunal diverticular enterolith impaction, seven months following a previous episode. CASE SUMMARYA 68-year-old male presented with symptoms of small bowel obstruction. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen demonstrated small bowel obstruction from an enterolith formed in one of his extensive jejunal diverticula. He required a laparotomy, an enterotomy proximal to the enterolith, removal of the enterolith, closure of the enterotomy, and resection of a segment of perforated ileum with stapled side-to-side anastomosis. Seven months later, he represented to emergency department with similar symptoms. Another CT scan of his abdomen revealed a recurrent small bowel obstruction secondary to enterolith impaction. He underwent another laparotomy in which it was evident that a large enterolith was impacted at the afferent limb of the previous small bowel anastomosis. A part of the anastomosis was excised to allow removal of the enterolith and the defect was closed with cutting linear stapler. In the following two years, the patient did not have a recurrent episode of enterolith-related bowel obstruction.CONCLUSIONThe pathophysiology underlying enterolith formation is unclear, so it is difficult to predict if or when enteroliths may form and cause bowel obstruction. More research could provide advice to prevent recurrent enterolith formation and its sequelae.     

Posttraumatic small bowel obstruction in children

Background

The diagnosis of intestinal injuries in children after blunt abdominal trauma can be difficult and delayed. Most children who suffer blunt abdominal trauma are managed nonoperatively, making the diagnosis of intestinal injuries more difficult. We sought to gain information about children who develop intestinal obstruction after blunt abdominal trauma by reviewing our experience.

Methods

Review of records from a pediatric tertiary care center over an 11.5-year period revealed 5 patients who developed small bowel obstruction after blunt trauma to the abdomen. The details of these patients were studied.

Results

All patients were previously managed nonoperatively for blunt abdominal trauma. Intestinal obstruction developed 2 weeks to 1 year (median, 21 days) after the trauma. Abdominal x-ray, computerized tomography scan, or barium meal studies were used to establish the diagnosis. The pathology was either a stricture, an old perforation, or adhesions causing the intestinal obstruction. Laparotomy with resection and anastomosis was curative.

Conclusions

Posttraumatic small bowel obstruction is a clinical entity that needs to be watched for in all patients managed nonoperatively for blunt abdominal trauma.     

Adhesional small bowel obstruction after colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND: Acute clinical indicators of complications in colorectal surgery can be readily attained but it is much harder to gather indicators of long-term outcomes such as small bowel obstruction (SBO). However, with improved in-hospital data collection and coding such information is becoming available. The aim of the present study was to examine our own hospital database for SBO rates post-colorectal surgery. METHODS: The database was searched and then the relevant medical records were reviewed of all patients admitted to Flinders Medical Centre (Bedford Park, Australia) between July 1999 and November 2002 with a diagnosis of SBO following a colorectal procedure during this same time period. RESULTS: There were 21 patients that accounted for 28 readmissions from a total colorectal procedure group of 583 patients. The arbitrary subgroups were: 13/325 (4%) for colonic resections; 7/186 (3.7%) for rectal resections; 0/12 (0%) for laparotomies/other procedures; and 1/39 (2.6%) for stoma formation/reversals. The overall SBO rate requiring readmission was therefore 3.6%/pt in the 3 years. There was a large variation in the first readmission interval, 38% occurred within 3 months, 43% between 3 and 12 months, and 19% after 1 year. At the first readmission 38% of patients had operative treatment. The mean length of stay was 6.12 days for non-operative vs 21.62 days for operative treatment. CONCLUSION: The reported rate of SBO of 3.6% (at 3 years time interval) is in accordance with other studies. With 38% of patients being treated operatively at first admission there is good acceptance for conservative management in non-strangulated SBO. The prolonged hospital stay for patients needing surgery warrants further investigation.     

Laparoscopic management of acute small bowel obstruction

Background As minimally invasive surgery gains ground, it is entering realms previously considered to be relative contraindications for laparoscopy. We reviewed our experience with the laparoscopic approach to the management of small bowel obstruction (SBO).Methods From December 1997 to November 2002, 65 patients underwent laparoscopic treatment for SBO. The operating surgeon attempted to identify a transitional point between distended and collapsed bowel and then address the obstruction at that point.Results Postoperative adhesions were the cause of the obstruction in 44 patients. Tumor was identified in five cases, hernia in four, bezoar in three, intussusception in three, acute appendicitis and pseudoobstruction in two cases each, and terminal ileitis in one case. The diagnostic accuracy of laparoscopy was 96.9%. Thirty-four patients (52%) were treated by laparoscopy alone. Thirteen patients (20%) required a small target incision for segmental resection. Eighteen operations were converted to formal laparotomy. The mean laparoscopy time was 40 min (range, 25-160). Patients resumed oral intake in 1-3 days. The complication rate was 6.4%. There were two deaths, but none related to laparoscopy. The mean hospital stay was 4.2 days.Conclusions Laparoscopy is a useful minimally invasive technique for the management of acute SBO. It is an excellent diagnostic tool and, in most cases, a therapeutic surgical approach in patients with SBO. However, a significant number of patients will require conversion.Presented in part at the 10th annual congress of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES), Lisbon, Portugal, 2-5 June, 2002     

腹部手术后早期炎性肠梗阻的处理

目的腹部手术后早期发生的肠梗阻原因较复杂,处理亦较困难,尤其是炎性肠梗阻,既有麻痹性因素,亦有机械性因素,使外科医师的医疗决策难以取舍,如是否需要手术、手术的时机、以及手术可能造成的并发症等均值得探讨。我科自1987年至1996年12月共收治了重型术后炎性肠梗阻48例,40例(83.3%)经非手术治疗痊愈;7例(14.6%)于症状消退后择期手术治疗并存症后治愈,1例2.1%死亡,临床非手术治疗时间为9～58天,平均27.6±10天,取得较满意的结果,为这种类型的肠梗阻治疗提供了一些经验。     

Intussusception secondary to endometriosis of the cecum

INTRODUCTION

Intussusception in adults is a rare cause of bowel obstruction. Endometriosis of the bowel is also a rare entity that can be the cause of bowel obstruction. Here, we report a rare case of intussusception secondary to endometriosis of the cecum.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 40-year-old woman presented to the hospital with a one-week history of intermittent epigastric pain. On physical examination, there was a soft, round non-tender palpable mass in the right flank and abdominal computed tomography scan revealed an intussusception. We made the diagnosis of ileo-colic intussusception and performed ileocecal resection. The surgical specimen revealed a round submucosal cystic mass in the cecum and the histology showed endometriosis of the cecum.

DISCUSSION

Intussusception in adults is a rare entity present in just 1% of all patients with bowel obstruction, and 5% of all intussusceptions. In general, intussusception in adults has a pathologic lesion as the lead point and the lesion is a malignancy in 20–50% of the cases. Thus, the treatment of an intussusception in adults should be operative. Endometriosis of the bowel is a rare cause of intussusception. Small endometriosis lesions of the bowel are unlikely to cause symptoms; however, in patients presenting with bowel obstruction, urgent treatment is indicated.

CONCLUSION

Intussusception in an adult is a rare cause of bowel obstruction and intussusception caused by endometriosis is also rare. Although rare, the diagnosis of endometriosis as a cause of intussusception must be considered as part of the differential diagnosis.     

Laparoscopic management as the initial treatment of acute small bowel obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: We prospectively evaluated our experience with laparoscopic management of acute small bowel obstruction (SBO). METHODS: The study group included all patients requiring surgical intervention based on complete mechanical SBO by clinical assessment or who had failed conservative management. Patients with malignant causes were excluded. Experienced laparoscopic surgeons performed all operations. RESULTS: Between January 1998 to January 2003, 61 patients required operative intervention for acute SBO. Causes included adhesions, internal hernia, incarcerated incisional hernia, and inflammatory bowel disease. Laparoscopic techniques (LAP) alone were successfully used to complete 41 cases (67%). Twenty patients (33%) were converted (CONV) to either mini-laparotomy [7 patients (35%)] or standard midline laparotomy [13 patients (65%)]. A single band was identified in 25 patients (41%). Complications occurred in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: We believe all patients requiring surgery in the setting of acute small bowel obstruction should undergo a laparoscopic approach initially. By specifically identifying those patients with a single band as the cause of obstruction, a significant number of patients will be spared a large laparotomy incision. Conversion should not be viewed as failure, but rather, a sometimes necessary step in the optimal management of these patients.     

Laparoscopic management of a small bowel obstruction of unknown cause

With the expanding indications for minimally invasive surgery, the management of small bowel obstruction is evolving. The laparoscope shortens hospital stay, hastens recovery, and reduces morbidity, such as wound infection and incisional hernia associated with open surgery. However, many surgeons are reluctant to attempt laparoscopy in patients with significantly distended small bowel and a history of multiple previous abdominal operations. We present the management of a patient with a virgin abdomen who presented with a small bowel obstruction most likely secondary to Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome who was successfully managed with laparoscopic lysis of adhesions.