Cecal volvulus in a multiple-gestation pregnancy.

Title

Cecal volvulus in a multiple-gestation pregnancy.

Creator

Chase Daniel M; Sparks Dorothy A; Dawood Murtaza Y; Perry Earnest

Publisher

Obstetrics and gynecology

Date

2009
2009-08

Description

BACKGROUND: Intestinal obstruction during pregnancy is rare, with volvulus being responsible for about 25% of cases. CASE: We present a case in which a woman in the 12th week of a twin gestation presented with abdominal pain and distension. She was initially diagnosed with an ileus, and radiological studies at the time were deferred. The patient's symptoms worsened, and eventually she was taken to surgery for a diagnostic laparoscopy, which revealed a cecal volvulus with ischemic changes. A right hemicolectomy with primary anastomosis was performed. CONCLUSION: Volvulus in pregnancy carries a high mortality rate, often because diagnosis is delayed due to avoidance of radiography and because of similarity of symptoms to other clinical entities. A high index of suspicion for volvulus must be maintained when a pregnant patient presents with obstructive symptoms. Abdominal radiographs may be justified in aiding the diagnosis, and diagnostic laparoscopy is a viable alternative when the patient has an acute abdomen.

Subject

*Pregnancy; Adult; Cecal Diseases – Diagnosis; Cecal Diseases – Surgery; Cecal Diseases/*diagnosis/surgery; Female; Humans; Intestinal Obstruction – Diagnosis; Intestinal Obstruction – Surgery; Intestinal Volvulus/*diagnosis/surgery; Multiple; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications – Diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications – Surgery; Pregnancy Complications/*diagnosis/surgery; Twins

Rights

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

Pages

475–477

Issue

2

Volume

114

Citation

Chase Daniel M; Sparks Dorothy A; Dawood Murtaza Y; Perry Earnest, “Cecal volvulus in a multiple-gestation pregnancy.,” NEOMED Bibliography Database, accessed March 19, 2024, https://neomed.omeka.net/items/show/4339.