Acute Intestinal Distress Syndrome Following Laparoscopy

Abstract

Intestinal ischemia is a rare but potentially fatal complication of laparoscopic surgery. Acute intestinal distress syndrome is the term used to describe intestinal ischemia that results from laparoscopic procedures in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors. We present a case of fatal intestinal ischemia due to acute intestinal distress syndrome. To avoid this potentially fatal complication of laparoscopic surgery, thorough pre-operative assessment should be performed to identify patients with cardiovascular and respiratory disease who are at increased risk of this condition. Senior surgical and anesthetic staff should be involved in laparoscopic procedures on these patients and prolonged procedures in the Trendelenburg position with high-pressure pneumoperitoneum should be avoided or minimized.




J Med Cases. 2017;8(9):271-273
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc2884w