[Acute intestinal obstruction in an elderly patient]

The correct diagnosis of an acute abdomen in the aged is difficult, because of its varying presentation. Intestinal obstruction as a cause of acute abdomen is five times more common in the elderly as compared to younger patients. Acute intestinal obstruction in elderly patients may be due to intestinal or gynaecologic malignancies, or more frequently to incancerated hernias, peritoneal adhesions or faecal impaction. This case report describes a 90-year old female patient with intestinal obstruction, due to a bilateral torsion of benign ovarian cysts. Urgent surgery was life-saving. This case demonstrates that early decision for adequate therapy can reduce morbidity and mortality, also in very old patients.