Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis
Published on: October 29, 2014
Mechanical small bowel obstruction following a blunt abdominal trauma: A case report
Samira Zirak-Schmidt1, Alaa El-Hussuna1
1Slagelse Hospital, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Fælledvej 1, 4200 Slagelse, Denmark.
Introduction:
Intestinal obstruction following abdominal trauma has previously been described. However, in most reported cases pathological finding was intestinal stenosis.
Presentation Of The Case:
A 51-year-old male was admitted after a motor vehicle accident. Initial focused abdominal sonogram for trauma and enhanced computerized tomography were normal, however there was a fracture of the tibia. Three days later, he complained of abdominal pain, constipation, and vomiting. An exploratory laparotomy showed bleeding from the omentum and mechanical small bowel obstruction due to a fibrous band.
Discussion:
The patient had prior abdominal surgery, but clinical and radiological findings indicate that the impact of the motor vehicle accident initiated his condition either by causing rotation of a bowel segment around the fibrous band, or by formation of a fibrous band secondary to minimal bleeding from the omentum.
Conclusion:
High index of suspicion of intestinal obstruction is mandatory in trauma patients presenting with complaints of abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation despite uneventful CT scan.
