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. 2013:2013:759250.
doi: 10.1155/2013/759250. Epub 2013 May 23.

Uterine rotation: a cause of intestinal obstruction

Ernesto González-Mesa  1 , Isidoro Narbona, Isaac Cohen, Emilia Villegas, Celia Cuenca
Affiliations

Uterine rotation: a cause of intestinal obstruction

Ernesto González-Mesa et al. Case Rep Obstet Gynecol. 2013.

Abstract

Intestinal obstruction is an uncommon surgical emergency during pregnancy that affects seriously the prognosis of gestation. The underlying cause can be identified in the majority of cases and usually consists of adhesions secondary to previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, followed in order of frequency by intestinal volvuli. In recent years there have been no reports in which the gravid uterus has been the cause of intestinal obstruction. We report the case of a woman in week 33 + 4 of pregnancy who developed extrinsic compression of the colon secondary to uterine rotation and pelvic impaction of the head of the fetus.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chest X-ray showing left hemidiaphragmatic elevation due to the accumulation of gas in the splenic angle of the colon.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Abdominal X-ray showing dilatation of the small and large bowel loops. The arrow shows the stop at colon level. Displacement of the gravid uterus to the right is clearly seen.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Abdominal X-ray on day three after cesarean section.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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