Adhesive Closed-loop Small Bowel Obstruction

Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2018 Jan 9;2(1):31-34. doi: 10.5811/cpcem.2017.10.35927. eCollection 2018 Feb.

Abstract

Complete small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common surgical emergency often resulting from adhesive bands that form following iatrogenic peritoneal injury. Rarely, adhesive SBO may arise without previous intra-abdominal surgery through other modes of peritoneal trauma. We present the case of a male evaluated in the emergency department for a closed-loop small bowel obstruction due to an adhesive band that likely formed after blunt abdominal trauma over two decades earlier. We review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment options for similar cases of adhesive SBO.

Publication types

  • Case Reports