Delayed presentation of an entrapped small bowel loop stricture in a case of seat belt injury with the seat belt sign: laparoscopic resection and anastomosis

Abstract

Seat belt-related injuries are frequent and are often associated with a specific injury pattern known as “seat belt syndrome.” The presence of the seat belt sign can facilitate the early identification of seat belt injuries, which can help prevent the delayed or missed diagnosis of certain intestinal injuries, such as obstructions. We report the case of a 39-year-old man who sustained a bone fracture and a seat belt injury that led to an intestinal stricture. This condition manifested as delayed acute small bowel obstruction, necessitating laparoscopic intestinal resection and side-to-side anastomosis with a linear stapler. In polytrauma patients with seat belt syndrome, abdominal pain may be overshadowed by the pain from extra-abdominal injuries. Nevertheless, this pain should not be overlooked and must be thoroughly evaluated during regular follow-up visits to prevent complications.

Keywords

• accidents, traffic
• anastomosis, surgical
• intestinal obstruction
• seat belts