Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2009 May;52(5):565-570.

Small bowel obstruction in early pregnancy: A case report

• Jeon HS
• Kim HJ
• Choi YC
• Lee TU
• Chung DY

Abstract

Intestinal obstruction occurs rarely as a cause of acute abdominal pain during pregnancy. It is very difficult to make diagnosis, as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain are commonly associated with pregnancy, and X-rays are avoided if possible. However, delayed diagnosis can cause intestinal strangulation, which results in a high incidence of maternal morbidity, mortality, premature labor, and fetal loss. The incidence of intestinal obstruction seems to increase at the time of rapid uterine size changes such as between 16~20 weeks, 32~36 weeks or even in the puerperium. The possibility of intestinal obstruction must always be kept in mind when a pregnant woman with an operation scar on her abdomen develops abdominal pain. We present a case of small bowel obstruction during early pregnancy with a brief review of the literature who had the history of right salpingo-oophorectomy and appendectomy operation

Keyword

Acute abdomen; Bowel obstruction; Pregnancy

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Abdomen, Acute
Abdominal Pain
Appendectomy
Cicatrix
Delayed Diagnosis
Female
Humans
Incidence
Intestinal Obstruction
Mortality, Premature
Nausea
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women
Vomiting