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 pancreatitisand may require multiple re-intervention. The open wound can be left to heal through a process ofgranulation and contraction. This article describes intestinal obstruction secondary to entrapment of a loopof small bowel within the cicatrix of the contracting cutaneous scar. An awareness of the potential for entrapmentof the small bowel in the healing scar is critical for clinicians using laparostomy in the managementof acute necrotizing pancreatitis.