Small Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Traumatic Incarceration Between Vertebral Fracture: A Case Report in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India

Abstract

Bowel injury secondary to blunt trauma abdomen is a commonly encountered entity. However, small bowel obstruction secondary to traumatic incarceration of bowel loops between two translated vertebras in a case of road traffic accident is seldom reported. We report a case of small bowel obstruction in a patient who had suffered spondyloptosis at the L1–L2 level after a motor vehicle accident. We also discuss the diagnostic work up and interventions done to manage the patient. The report also reviews pertinent published literature on the incarceration of the bowel associated with vertebral fractures.

Keywords

• spondyloptosis
• hyperextension injury
• jejunum
• tethering