Bowel obstruction in pregnancy

Intestinal obstruction during pregnancy and in the puerperium is an uncommon complication, although cases are probably underreported. Fortunately, the mortality rate has improved over the decades. Overall, it was greater than 60% in 1900. By the 1930s, maternal mortality had dropped to 21% and fetal mortality decreased to 50%. Modern rates of maternal mortality have shown continued improvement, with Goldthorp reporting an incidence of 12% in 1966. Over the last 30 years the maternal mortality rate has decreased to approximately 6%, as noted in various series published in the English literature. Fetal mortality rates, however, have remained significantly high. They have remained constant at between 20% and 26%. Furthermore, only one third of patients with prenatal bowel obstruction complete term pregnancies after operative resolution of their obstruction. These findings emphasize the importance of remembering that two patients are at risk when intestinal obstruction complicates pregnancy. The delay from presentation to admission and from admission to definitive management continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion is mandated in this patient population, especially in those women presenting with a history of previous abdominal or pelvic surgery. The high incidence of necrotic bowel found in this subset of patients demonstrates the need for aggressive surgical intervention. Only through diligent and urgent intervention can the morbidity and mortality be decreased. The diagnosis and treatment of a pregnant patient suspected of having a bowel obstruction should be no different from those given to a nonpregnant one.