title: Gestational intestinal obstruction: a case report and review of literature.
abstract: Intestinal obstruction in pregnancy is rare and difficult to diagnose. Common causes of gestational intestinal obstruction include adhesions, volvulus, intussuscetion, carcinoma, hernia and appendicitis [3]. Abdominal pain is a common feature, but the displacement of abdominal organs as pregnancy progresses results in atypical location of the pain and hence delay in diagnosis. We report a case of intestinal obstruction at 33 weeks gestation in a woman with previous appendicectomy. Clinical suspicion of the presence of obstruction is required for prompt diagnosis and aggressive intervention, to minimise the morbidity and mortality of this rare complication of pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Assisted Conception Unit, St Helier Hospital, Carshalton, SM5 1AA, Surrey, UK. ekalu@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kalu
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sherriff
authors.forename: Mohamed Amer
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alsibai
authors.forename: Mumtazuddin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haidar
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D047928:Premature Birth; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology