Intestinal necrosis caused by acute mesenteric ischemia associated with pregnancy: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Mesenteric ischaemia associated with pregnancy is a rare disease with a high mortality rate and its prognosis depends on the time passing between diagnosis and final management. Presentation of case: A 38-year-old Peruvian woman developed intestinal necrosis during week 35 of her pregnancy because of mesenteric ischaemia associated with her pregnancy. Discussion: Given the findings of extensive intestinal necrosis, surgical resection was performed, causing short bowel syndrome. Histopathological analysis confirmed that the immediate cause of the patient’s ischaemia was venous thrombosis associated with her gestation. Conclusion: Acute mesenteric ischaemia should be considered as a possible diagnosis in pregnant woman with risk factors for thrombophilia presenting with abdominal pain.