Detrimental Pneumoperitoneum and Bowel Necrosis Secondary to Dilatation and Curettage: Necessitating the Importance of Healthcare Awareness

Cureus. 2021 Oct 8;13(10):e18594. doi: 10.7759/cureus.18594. eCollection 2021 Oct.

Abstract

We have read about numerous cases depicting life-threatening fatalities due to the lack of awareness and accessibility to health care facilities. A 23-year-old pregnant woman in a village in India underwent a dilation and curettage procedure for spontaneous abortion by an uncertified medical practitioner. Eventually, she presented to the emergency room with ER and an initial abdominal X-ray was consistent with the finding of free air under the diaphragm/pneumoperitoneum and air-fluid levels. Here we present a case of bowel perforation secondary to being strangulated within the uterine cavity.

Keywords: dilation and curettage; pneumoperitoneum; small bowel necrosis; spontaneous abortion; uterine perforation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports