Small bowel obstruction in early pregnancy: A case report / 대한산부인과학회지

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