Management of distal intestinal obstruction syndrome by enteroscopy in a post-lung transplant patient

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Transplant Surgery
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Lung transplantation is a life-saving procedure for end-stage lung disease.
• Post-transplant complications can significantly impact patient outcomes.
• Distal intestinal obstruction is a rare but serious complication.

Observation:

• A male patient developed distal intestinal obstruction by meconium following a lung transplant.
• The obstruction presented as a significant clinical challenge in the post-operative period.

Findings:

• A minimally invasive approach using laxative irrigation via an enteroscope directly into the ileum was employed.
• This intervention led to immediate resolution of the meconium obstruction.
• The patient experienced no complications, and surgical intervention was successfully avoided.

Implications:

• This case highlights a potentially effective non-surgical management strategy for meconium-related distal intestinal obstruction in transplant recipients.
• The findings suggest that endoscopic intervention can be a safe and viable alternative to surgery in select cases.
• Further research may explore the broader applicability of this technique in similar post-operative gastrointestinal complications.