This case report presents an old hemiparetic male admitted to hospital from nursing home due to dark-coloured emesis. Transdermal buprenorphine 5 mcg/h had been instigated without laxatives in the preceding month. Upon arrival, an enlarged tense abdomen was found. A CT-scan dem-on-strated a 19 cm wide faecal colon impaction. Limited effect of enemas and endoscopic disimpaction resulted in surgery. The patient died shortly after discharge. The case stresses the prevention of constipation when using opioids; in particular in immobilized patients.