Abdominal cocoon in a young man / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intestinal obstruction remains a common problem encountered in the surgical emergency, and usually occurs secondary to adhesions, obstructed herniae or tubercular strictures. However, at times, rare causes of obstruction can also be encountered. METHODS: A 24-year-old male patient presented with recurrent episodes of intestinal obstruction that was found to be secondary to an abdominal cocoon on laparotomy. RESULTS: The patient underwent adhesiolysis of the cocoon, and remains well on a follow-up. Histopathological report of the cocoon wall revealed fibrocollagenic tissues with a mixed inflammatory infiltrate, without any evidence of tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal cocoon can be a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in male patients. Adhesiolysis of the cocoon membrane releases the obstruction and gives good results.