Small bowel explosion: a complication of strictureplasty

• DOI: 10.1007/bf00304292
• Publication Date: 2004-10-10T03:00:18Z
• Authors: T. Brown; J. M. Church
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Ileal Diseases; Explosions; Constriction, Pathologic; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Intestine, Small; Electrocoagulation; Humans; Intestinal Obstruction

Explosion injury to the intestinal tract resulting from electrocautery is a rare occurrence. Only two small bowel explosions have been described previously. Here we describe an explosion of small bowel during strictureplasty in a patient with chronic obstructing Crohn's disease. Recommendations to avoid this disastrous complication include proximal decompression prior to incision and, in some cases, it may be wise to avoid electrocautery altogether.