Case report: rare case of mechanical bowel obstruction due to strangulation by gastric stimulator electrodes

Implantation of a gastric stimulator is a feasible surgical therapy for patients with therapy refractory gastroparesis. In addition it seems to be a promising alternative for treating morbid obesity. We present for the first time the surgical emergency of small bowel obstruction due to strangulation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC surgery 2015-03, Vol.15 (1), p.35-35, Article 35
Main Authors: Lederhuber, Hans, Axer, Stephan, Ihle, Christof
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Care and treatment
Case Report
Case studies
Complications and side effects
Electric Stimulation Therapy - adverse effects
Electric Stimulation Therapy - instrumentation
Electrodes - adverse effects
Female
Humans
Intestinal Obstruction - diagnosis
Intestinal Obstruction - etiology
Intestinal Obstruction - surgery
Intestine, Small - surgery
Middle Aged
Nausea
Obesity
Patient outcomes
Risk factors
Surgery
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Summary:Implantation of a gastric stimulator is a feasible surgical therapy for patients with therapy refractory gastroparesis. In addition it seems to be a promising alternative for treating morbid obesity. We present for the first time the surgical emergency of small bowel obstruction due to strangulation by gastric stimulator electrodes. A 59-year-old Caucasian female had undergone implantation of a gastric stimulator to cope with the symptoms of a partial gastroparesis. Eight years after the operation, the patient began to present repeatedly to different hospitals because of abdominal pain and nausea. Symptoms and imaging indicated ileus, which could always be treated conservatively. The underlying pathology could not ultimately be determined and the symptoms were eventually considered gastroparesis-related. After two years the patient was finally referred in circulatory shock due to peritonitis with underlying small bowel obstruction. Emergency laparotomy revealed small bowel strangulation by the gastric stimulator electrodes. Repeated presentation of a patient with an unfamiliar treatment modality must raise suspicion of unusual complications. Specialist surgeons treating with innovative methods should provide proper information that is accessible to everyone who might have to treat possible complications.
ISSN:1471-2482
1471-2482
DOI:10.1186/s12893-015-0022-4