Intestinal obstruction during pregnancy.
Intestinal obstruction is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain during pregnancy. We reviewed and analyzed the medical records of four pregnant women with intestinal obstruction, treated at the Department of Surgery in the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital during a period of 19 years, between June 1984 and December 2002. Their ages ranged from 22 to 35 years (mean, 28 yrs). Three cases had had prior lower abdominal surgery. Adhesion was the unique finding in all four patients during the operation. Enterolysis was needed to release the intestinal obstruction in three of the patients; the fourth required resection and anastomosis of the ileum as a result of volvulus. Premature labor was prevented with tocolysis in two patients. The results of this study lead us to emphasize the importance of close observation and early surgery to avoid intestinal strangulation if a pregnant woman who develops intestinal obstruction has an old surgical scar on her abdomen. Premature labor may be avoided with tocolysis.
Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Yu-Tang
YT
Chang
Yu-Sheng
YS
Huang
Hon-Man
HM
Chan
Che-Jen
CJ
Huang
Jan-Sing
JS
Hsieh
Tsung-Jen
TJ
Huang
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications