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Massive gastric distension due to bulimia nervosa: a hotpot emergency
Jordan D Lee1, Sowmya Prabhakaran1, Bruce D Wilkie1
1Department of General Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract:
Acute massive gastric distension is a rare but potentially life-threatening surgical complication of bulimia nervosa. This results from repeated binge eating and is likely compounded by increased gastric compliance and delayed gastric emptying. We describe a case of acute massive gastric distension in a 26-year-old female with undiagnosed bulimia nervosa who underwent a laparotomy and anterior gastrotomy after failed conservative measures for gastric decompression. It highlights the importance of early recognition of a potentially life-threatening condition and that a multi-disciplinary approach is necessary to prevent the recurrence and morbidity associated with it.
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