title: Blind loop: rare but important surgical complication.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical complications worldwide are dreaded by both patients and physicians alike. They represent significant and serious morbidity and mortality, and contribute substantially to increased costs of healthcare.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our Case Report describes a 65yo Caucasian man with an extensive operative history for Crohn's disease, including 4 laparotomies with small bowel resections to ameliorate small bowel obstructions. He presented with signs and symptoms of a chronic draining sinus, but was found to have a Blind Loop of bowel. This finding is believed to be the result of a surgical complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While the Case Reports discusses this particular patient presentation, the paper defines, describes and offers treatment strategies for Enterocutaneous Fistulas (ECF). We offer aim to add Blind Loop to the differential diagnosis when presented with a patient with signs and symptoms of ECF.
authors.affiliation: Ross University School of Medicine, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies. John.DiBianco@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: John Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: DiBianco
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Brenes
authors.forename: J Alexander
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Palesty
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed