A Case of Small Bowel Obstruction During Labour: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in a Resource-limited Setting: A Case Report and Review of Management

Abstract

Background: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is defined as the partial or complete interruption of intestinal content progression in the oral to the aboral sense. It is the third leading cause of non-obstetrical surgical condition on pregnancy. It is a real emergency that requires early diagnosis and adequate management to reduce maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality, which remain high in developing countries. Case Presentation: This is the case of a 32-year-old black female refugee. She had a history of abdominal surgery indicated for splenic rupture during a road accident some 10years ago. She was admitted to the emergency unit for abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation persistent 4 hours after home delivery. On admission, the patient was hemodynamically unstable with abdominal distention. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed dilated loops. After intensive fluid resuscitation, the patient underwent an emergency laparotomy. Results: The findings were a small bowel adhesion obstruction. The postoperative evolution was good. Conclusion: Intestinal obstruction on pregnancy is usually diagnosed late. This delays its management and thus increases the rate of fetal and maternal mortality. The presentation of this case should appeal to clinicians in emergency rooms (ED) who receive pregnant women to think about nonobstetrical surgical conditions on pregnancies.