Large Bowel Obstruction in an Obese Woman

Abstract

Question: A 60-year-old obese (body mass index of 50 kg/m2) woman was admitted through the emergency department with a history of severe colicky abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and constipation. She was known to have diverticular disease of sigmoid colon, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There was no history of any previous abdominal operations. On examination, she was found to have distended abdomen with severe tenderness and guarding in the left iliac fossa.