Small-bowel obstruction secondary to subcutaneous small-bowel entrapment: a late complication of laparostomy for necrotizing pancreatitis

Abstract

Laparostomy is a well recognized strategy for the management of patients who have necrotizing pancreatitis and may require multiple re-intervention. The open wound can be left to heal through a process of granulation and contraction. This article describes intestinal obstruction secondary to entrapment of a loop of small bowel within the cicatrix of the contracting cutaneous scar. An awareness of the potential for entrapment of the small bowel in the healing scar is critical for clinicians using laparostomy in the management of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.