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Recurrent Closed Loop Bowel Obstruction in Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Case Report and Review of Literature

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Abstract

Intestinal obstruction in pregnancy is an uncommon event. It is a high-risk emergency for both the mother and fetus. Diagnosis of obstruction in pregnancy is often delayed due a multitude of reasons including the nonspecific presentation of symptoms, normal laboratory values, and hesitancy to perform necessary imaging studies. Closed loop bowel obstruction (CLBO) is a rare type of intestinal obstruction that compromises blood flow, and it is a surgical emergency that requires prompt intervention. We present of case of CLBO in a pregnant patient at 27 weeks of gestation. Unique to her situation was that this diagnosis was the second time in the same pregnancy. Our patient had a necrotic bowel segment removed via an open laparotomy. The remainder of her pregnancy was uncomplicated, and she delivered at term a viable male via planned cesarean delivery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, George Washington University Hospital, Washington D.C, WA, USA

    Tarek Araji, Stephanie Wang & Homa K. Ahmadzia

  2. Department of Radiology, George Washington University Hospital, Washington D.C, WA, USA

    Nadeem Kandalaft

  3. Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington D.C, WA, USA

    Jordan Estroff

Authors
  1. Tarek Araji
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  2. Stephanie Wang
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  3. Nadeem Kandalaft
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  4. Jordan Estroff
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  5. Homa K. Ahmadzia
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation was performed by Dr. Araji and Dr. Wang. The first draft was written by Dr. Araji, Dr. Wang, and Dr. Kandalaft, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. The final draft was approved by all authors. Dr. Estroff was the primary surgeon during the second laparotomy.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Homa K. Ahmadzia.

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N/A. An informed consent was obtained from the patient.

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A written informed consent was obtained from the patient to participate in our case report.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Araji, T., Wang, S., Kandalaft, N. et al. Recurrent Closed Loop Bowel Obstruction in Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Case Report and Review of Literature. SN Compr. Clin. Med. 4, 178 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-022-01260-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-022-01260-8

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