2016 Volume 36 Issue 7 Pages 1239-1242
A 21-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a history of lower abdominal pain. She had previously been receiving treatment at another hospital for anorexia nervosa. Peripheral blood examination revealed pancytopenia, and abdominal computed tomography showed free air around the rectum. The patient was diagnosed as having rectal perforation and diagnostic laparoscopy with closure of the defect with sutures was performed. Postoperatively, the patient developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. In addition, laboratory tests revealed hypophosphatemia, considered to be associated with the anorexia nervosa. Phosphate supplementation was initiated, and fortunately, the patient did not develop any dangerous arrhythmias because of the administered phosphate. On the 29th day after surgery, she was transferred from the hospital for continuation of the treatment for anorexia nervosa. A follow-up at six months after the operation revealed no signs of relapse. This is the sixth case report of idiopathic perforation of the gastrointestinal tract in patients with anorexia nervosa.
