Small bowel obstruction due to intramural hematoma during anticoagulant therapy. With regard to two cases treated...

Hemorrhage following prolonged oral anticoagulant administrations is a well recognized hazard of therapy, and hemorrhagic complications are said to occur in 10-30% of patients. Following the presentation of the cases, the authors examine the current literature concerning the problems with anticoagulants, and recommend models of diagnosis and treatment of complications by bowel obstruction. Authors report on two cases of small bowel obstruction due to intramural hematoma during anticoagulant therapy. It is extremely important to recognize this syndrome in order to avoid unnecessary operative intervention. Therefore, laparotomy is not indicated.