Citation

Harrison JR, Blackstone MO, Vargish T, Gasparaitis A. South. Med. J. 2001; 94(5): 499-501.

Affiliation

Division of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago Hospitals, Ill 60637, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Southern Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11372800

Abstract

Most patients with intestinal obstruction have had previous surgery. Rarely, the development of adhesions and resulting small bowel obstruction is attributed to previous intra-abdominal trauma. We present the case of a young man, without a history of surgery, who had been a restrained driver in a motor vehicle crash. Seven years later, the patient had an intermittent partial small bowel obstruction that recurred over the next 5 years. We review the pathophysiology and epidemiology of similar occurrences, as well as diagnostic options.