Loaded colon causing death: A case report

Abstract

Colon can be loaded with faecal matter following acute or chronic constipation. Most of the time it can be relieved with medical or surgical interventions. Rarely does it produce complications due to perforation by impacted stool causing peritonitis and sepsis. Here we came across the case of a young female who is brought dead to casualty following vomiting and abdominal pain. The medico legal autopsy showed a hugely dilated colon loaded with faecal matter causing respiratory and cardiovascular compromise due to the pressure effect on thoracic structures. The cause for the constipation in this case was an imperforated anus at birth which was operated in childhood itself but was not cured completely. We could hardly get this kind of complication with faecal impaction from literature as there are very few reported cases.