Ischemic Colitis and Small Bowel Ischemia in a Vaccinated Patient with Mild COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

COVID-19 infection can cause bowel ischemia, with an incidence ranging from 0.22% to 10.5. The COVID-19 vaccine reduces respiratory symptoms and the need for cardiopulmonary support. However, its effects on other manifestations, such as bowel ischemia, have not been extensively studied. Despite having mild respiratory symptoms and receiving three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, our patient developed ischemic colitis after her first infection and small bowel ischemia following her second infection.

An 86-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain after a mild COVID-19 infection. She was admitted with ischemic colitis, but conservative treatment failed. In the operating room, her entire colon was found to be ischemic, necessitating a total colectomy with end ileostomy. Nine months later, she returned to the ED with mild respiratory symptoms and severe right upper quadrant pain. Imaging revealed pneumoperitoneum and a mid-abdominal abscess. An emergency laparotomy revealed small bowel perforation, with final histology confirming ischemia. The patient had received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and was on therapeutic anticoagulation for a history of pulmonary embolism.

COVID-19 may increase the risk of bowel and colon ischemia even after vaccination. Patients presenting to the ED with severe abdominal pain and a recent COVID-19 infection should be carefully evaluated for ischemic events.