Stercoral perforation: A rare entity

Abstract

Stercoral perforation of the colon is a rare condition caused by the pressure necrosis resulting from hard fecaloma, which is commonly found in patients suffering from chronic constipation. Perforations are usually seen in patients afflicted with inflammatory bowel disease, tumor or malignancy, or diverticular disease. Majorly, stercoral perforation affects the elderly and often debilitated patients with a history of chronic constipation. It is a surgical emergency with high mortality, and its prognosis depends on the speed of care. Currently, the pathogenesis of the perforation is not well-defined, but it can likely be a result of long-lasting constipation. If constipation is not treated, stercoral perforation of the large bowel, including the colon and rectum may occur, which is life threatening. Due to constipation, there is an accumulation of feces resulting to large bowel distension that leads to the increase in intraluminal pressure on the walls of the colon, which may result in stercoral perforations. Here, we describe a case of a 60-year-old female who presented with acute symptoms of abdominal distention and pain.