A rare case of intestinal obstruction in pregnancy

Abstract

Intestinal obstruction (IO) in pregnancy is rare at 1 in 2500 to 1 in 16709 deliveries with an incidence of 0.001% to 0.003%. Although uncommon, IO in pregnancy carries significant maternal (6%) and fetal (26%) mortality. A 30-year-old, primigravida, at 33weeks 4 days of gestation presented to the emergency obstetrics department of Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India with a 2-day history of diffuse abdominal pain, distension and obstipation. The decision of emergency caesarean section was taken and a 2.5kg healthy female baby was delivered. Surgical opinion was sought intraoperatively. Segmental resection and anastomosis, adhesiolysis and appendicectomy was done. Patient discharged on 10 post-operative day along with her baby in satisfactory condition. Diagnosis of SBO can be difficult to make as symptoms are often attributed mistakenly to pregnancy and there can be a reluctance to request plain films owing to the risks of ionising radiation. Both of these factors can lead to a delay in diagnosis and initiating treatment. Clinical suspicion is vital and joint management between surgeons and obstetricians is crucial. In agreement with previous literature reviews regarding the need for prompt laparotomy in most cases of SBO, we recommend that patients with confirmed adhesional obstruction may be managed conservatively in the first instance but with a low threshold for progressing to laparotomy.