title: Iatrogenic gastrointestinal injuries during obstetrical and gynecological operation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastrointestinal Injuries (GI) during gynecological operation are uncommon but proper management of these injuries is very important.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to review the causes and management of gastrointestinal injuries during gynecological and obstetrical operations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this descriptive retrospective study, 25 patients with gastrointestinal injuries during gynecological and obstetrical operation at Shabihkhani Maternity Hospital in Kashan city were reviewed. Demographic data such as age, gravid, parity, type of surgery or procedure, history of laparotomy, the surgical operation, injury site, time of diagnosis and method of treatment were extracted from medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of women was 33.2 ± 7.57 years. Fourty-four percent of the patients had a history of abdominal scar. Thirty-two percent of all GI injuries occurred during total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). The small bowel was injured in 36% of cases. Fifty-two percent of injuries were diagnosed during the operation and the mean time of injury diagnosis was 2.8 ± 0.9 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All of the gynecologic surgeons must be aware of gastrointestinal injuries and should anticipate injury to these organs especially in high-risk patients for decreasing patient morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Elaheh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mesdaghinia
authors.affiliation: Trauma Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abedzadeh-Kalahroudi
authors.affiliation: Deputy of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mehrdad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hedayati
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nushin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moussavi-Bioki
keywords: Gynecology; Injuries; Surgery