Respiratory symptoms as an indicator of undiagnosed bowel perforation following laparoscopic surgery--an observation

Undiagnosed bowel perforation following diagnostic or operative laparoscopies is associated with significant morbidity and is indeed the primary cause of laparoscopy related mortality. The diagnosis of bowel perforation remains difficult, predominantly because of the highly varied clinical presentation. Respiratory symptoms have rarely been reported. We outline eight cases of undiagnosed bowel perforation in which the respiratory symptoms of dyspnoea and tachypnoea manifested themselves as an integral part of the clinical presentation. We believe these 'atypical' symptoms potentially further delayed the diagnosis and instigation of definitive management. Dyspnoea and other respiratory symptoms should be considered as additional warning signs of possible undiagnosed bowel perforation following laparoscopic surgery