[Small bowel obstruction by a congenital band in 16 adults].
During embryogenesis, abnormal adhesion of the peritoneal folds induces a congenital band which can cause small bowel obstruction.


METHODS
From 1987 to 2001, 16 adult patients underwent surgery for small bowel obstruction due to a congenital band. There were 8 men and 8 women with a mean age of 59 years (range 23-90). None presented previous abdominal surgery.


RESULTS
Six patients presented acute abdominal pain the month before hospitalization. Among the 16 patients, 9 were operated at admission, and 7 after initial surveillance. Suspected diagnosis before operation was small bowel obstruction in 8 cases (with a diagnosis of congenital band in 3); perforated duodenal ulcer (n = 2); appendicitis (n = 2); mesenteric infarction (n = 1); diverticultis (n = 1); cholecystitis (n = 1); and strangulated hernia (n = 1). During operation performed through laparotomy or laparoscopy, a congenital band was noted in 100% of the cases, associated with intestinal necrosis in 5. One patient died postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Because small bowel obstruction by congenital band is a rare condition, it represents a frequent problem of diagnosis. In this situation, the possibility of intestinal necrosis expose the patient to a possible fatal outcome.
Habib
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Service de chirurgie viscérale et thoracique, hôpital Robert-Ballanger, 93602, Aulnay-Sous-Bois, France. elias.habib@wanadoo.fr <elias.habib@wanadoo.fr>
Elhadad
A
A
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007416:Intestinal Perforation; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology*