Perforated colon volvulus coiling around the uterus in a pregnant woman with a history of severe constipation

Abstract

A case of intestinal volvulus in both the sigmoid colon and cecum in a pregnant woman suffering from severe constipation is reported herein. The fetus was dead and the mother developed acute shock. The twisted sigmoid colon coiled twice around the uterus and was perforated. The mother died 10 h after the onset of severe abdominal pain. Volvulus should be considered when examining severe abdominal pain in a pregnant woman with a history of severe constipation. Early suspicion together with prompt intervention will minimize maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality of this rare complication of pregnancy.