Two cases of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with gastrointestinal complications

Gastrointestinal complications of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (E-D syndrome) reported in Japan during the 15 years between 1965 and 1979 were reviewed together with two cases of our own. The incidence of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage was only in one case, but this complication was severe enough to cause death. Mild complications of the E-D syndrome were inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, and intestinal diverticulum. Fragility of tissues and a tendency to bleed were noted, and these led to difficulty in surgical treatment of this disease. We emphasized the necessity for careful observation of these complications.