Intussusception following diaphragmatic rupture surgery: A rare case

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Intussusception in adults is a rare manifestation after traumatic abdominal surgery, because after abdominal surgery patients often have functional bowel paralysis rather than increased intestinal motility.

Case presentation: 39-year-old male patient with acute intussusception appeared after surgery for diaphragmatic rupture and is undergoing postoperative treatment on day 7. The patient has clinical manifestations of small bowel obstruction. Computed tomography image shows evidence of jejuno-jejunal intussusception. Exploratory laparotomy and resection of the necrotic bowel were performed.

Clinical discussion: Rare cases such as intussusception should be observed postoperatively and in similar manifestations with careful examination of the characteristic CT findings, because of early detection and surgical intervention with manual reduction can prevent the need for small bowel resection and possible unwanted complications.

Conclusion: Postoperative intussusception occurs primarily in the small intestine and should be indicated for emergency surgery in all cases, and this should be kept in mind by the surgeon and the resuscitator. The early diagnosis and intervention of patients increase the survival rate and the surgical efficiency.

Keywords: Abdominal surgery; Adults; Diaphragmatic rupture; Functional paralytic ileus; Intussusception.