title: Severe acute gastric dilatation causing respiratory failure.
abstract: Severe acute gastric dilatation occurring in the absence of bowel obstruction is uncommon. We report acute gastric dilatation developing postoperatively in a 79-year-old man, culminating in respiratory failure. On the third postoperative day following bilateral inguinal hernia repair, he developed abdominal distension with absent bowel sounds. Abdominal radiograph showed a grossly distended gastric shadow and small bowel dilatation. The patient's oxygen saturation then deteriorated suddenly and severely, necessitating intubation. He recovered well with conservative measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529889.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000150:complications*; D013271:Gastric Dilatation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*