A Case of Bowel Obstruction at the Functional End-to-end Anastomotic Site of the Small Intestine

Abstract

An 82-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of suspected ileus. She had undergone small bowel resection for strangulated bowel obstruction, and the small intestine was reconstructed with a functional end-to-end anastomosis. Abdominal computed tomography showed a cystic dilatation of the anastomotic site and ileus due to the dilatation. Although the patient was initially treated conservatively, surgery was performed 4 days after hospitalization because there was no symptomatic improvement. Since intraoperative findings showed inflammation and dilatation of the anastomotic site, the anastomotic site was resected and reconstructed with a delta anastomosis. To date, no recurrence has been observed. Although cystic dilatation of a functional end-to-end anastomosis is rare, especially after resection of the small intestine, it should be known as a late complication, and surgery should be considered when it is symptomatic.