Link between Two Decades of Oral Contraceptives and Bowel Infarction: A Case Report

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: Partial or total necrosis of the bowel is a frequent cause of obstruction of the mesenteric artery or vein. Mesenteric infarction is usually the consequence of other associated pathologies of the patient and most often revealed by acute intestinal obstruction. Thus, it is of utmost importance to recognize the risk factors and treat all conditions that might have a link with a hypercoagulability state. Acute mesenteric ischemia is pathology difficult to treat due to the nonspecific symptomatology and late diagnosis consequently. Moreover, the majority the patients have other comorbidities resulting a mortality in over 50% of the cases. Methods and results: Identified risk factors in our patient’s case for the thrombus formations were oral contraceptive medication, hypertension, and obesity. Other secondary causes of Superior Mesenteric Vein (SMV) and Portal Vein (PV) thrombosis were investigated but all tests were negative leading to the incrimination of obesity and chronic use of oral contraceptives for over two decades. Conclusion: Rare, life-threatening complications of associated pathologies such as venous mesenteric thrombosis and bowel obstruction are unanticipated. Thus, it is of utmost importance to diagnose complications and risk factors as soon as possible whose resolutions will make it possible to prolong survival of many patients. Identification of populations at risk and screening of asymptomatic patients are therefore crucial imperatives.