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Gastric necrosis associated with acute gastric dilatation and small bowel obstruction
John L Powell1, Joseph Payne, Clinton L Meyer
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Coastal Area Health Education Center, 2131 South 17th Street, Wilmington, NC 28402-9025, USA. john.powell@coastalahec.org
Background:
While acute gastric dilation is a postoperative complication familiar to most surgeons, massive dilatation with necrosis and rupture is a very rare event. We performed a computer search in the MEDLINE database for the years 1966-2001 for articles published in any language using the key words gastric dilation, gastric necrosis, intestinal obstruction, and gynecologic surgery. Our search yielded no reports of massive gastric dilation and ischemic necrosis from a small bowel obstruction following gynecologic surgery.
Case:
A 76-year-old woman developed massive gastric dilatation with ischemic necrosis associated with small bowel obstruction following gynecologic surgery for benign disease.
Conclusion:
Gynecologists should be aware of the entity. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to minimize morbidity and mortality.