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Intestinal Ischemia Secondary to Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Late Pregnancy: A Case Report of a Rare Complication with Serious Implications

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Blunt abdominal trauma in pregnancy is a medical emergency with significant maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality. Although rare, intestinal ischemia can occur as a serious abdominal complication following trauma during pregnancy. Case presentation: A 41-year-old woman at 33 weeks and 6 days of gestation was involved in a car accident, as a passenger in the front seat of a vehicle that left the road and overturned. The initial examination revealed severe chest trauma but no immediate signs of abdominal injury. However, the patient's condition worsened, showing delayed symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction, clinical deterioration, and labor onset. Complementary imaging studies did not reveal conclusive findings suggesting complications related to the blunt abdominal trauma. Following a multidisciplinary team's decision to perform an emergency cesarean section in the maternal-fetal interest, intestinal ischemia secondary to a mesenteric tear was discovered, necessitating intestinal resection and end-to-end anastomosis. Conclusions: Despite being a rare condition often associated with diagnostic delays, in cases of sudden clinical deterioration or maternal hemodynamic instability, immediate multidisciplinary intervention is essential. This approach may allow the early detection of trauma-related complications, reducing potentially preventable deaths and achieving favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine

DOI: 10.3390/jcm14165808

Authors: Marta Domínguez-Moreno, Ana María Ferrete-Araujo, Mónica Marín-Cid, Juan José Egea-Guerrero, Lucas Cerrillos

Institutions: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla

Language: English

Topic: Abdominal Trauma and Injuries

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137