Idiopathic spontaneous cecal perforation: A rare pathology with high mortality

Spontaneous perforation of the colon (SPC) is a rare disease characterized by sudden perforation of a clinically healthy colon in the absence of underlying disease or trauma. The aim of reporting this case is to highlight this surgical emergency in terms of clinical presentations, surgical management and outcomes.

A 68 year-old male with history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and chronic constipation on daily laxatives presented to the emergency department with a diffuse abdominal pain and distention for 4 days associated with vomiting and absence of defecation where he was prescribed phosphate rectal enemas. Patient was in sepsis with generalized abdominal tenderness and distention. Intraoperative findings of feculent peritonitis with isolated cecal perforation was identified, for which a right hemicolectomy with end ileostomy was performed.

The first case was described in a woman presented with spontaneous rectum rupture by Brodie in 1827, with a less than 100 cases being reported in literature. In 1984, spontaneous perforations were classified into either "stercoral" or "idiopathic" perforations. More than 60% of colonic perforations were reported in the sigmoid or at the recto-sigmoid junction, mainly at the anti-mesenteric border, making spontaneous cecal perforation a very uncommon condition. Cecal perforation is associated with high mortality in the range of 30%-72%.

The outcome of SPC depends on multiple factors like onset of perforation, peritoneal contamination, and time of intervention. Regardless the surgical technique, early detection and surgical management are the main strategies associated with improving the outcomes.