title: Amphojeloma: antacid impaction in a critically ill patient.
abstract: Patients in the intensive care unit seldom have mechanical small-bowel obstruction, and obstruction due to medication bezoars is even less common. A 65-year-old woman, in the intensive care unit because of septic shock and acute renal failure, had a small-bowel obstruction due to Amphojel concretions. Obstruction from such a cause may be prevented by including non-constipating antacids, stool softeners or sorbitol. Aggressive use of H2-antagonists to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding in septic patients will reduce the need for orally administered antacids. When obstruction occurs due to antacid concretions, it may be relieved by passing a long intestinal tube, by giving enemas for colonic obstruction or by operation.
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000188:drug therapy; D000368:Aged; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000863:Antacids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001630:Bezoars / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D007421:Intestine, Small; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000863:Antacids; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide