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Use of neostigmine to relieve a suspected colonic pseudoobstruction in pregnancy

M E Rausch1, N H Troiano, T Rosen

  • 11Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA. Mer56@columbia.edu

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|March 23, 2007
PubMed

Neostigmine is a treatment option for colonic pseudoobstruction. However, experience in using neostigmine for this indication in pregnant women is limited. We present a case of a woman with an estimated fetal gestational age of 34 weeks presented with what was believed to be a pseudoobstruction and when conservative management failed, neostigmine was administered with no adverse side effects. Ultimately, the patient was found to have a mechanical obstruction and we discuss the challenges in making this diagnosis in pregnancy. Neostigmine may be a viable alternative to colonoscopy in pregnant women for whom mechanical obstruction is properly excluded.

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