Stercoral Perforation of the Colon in Pregnancy

Abstract

We report a 37 year old multi-parous lady, who in her third trimester of pregnancy, presented to the emergency room with acute diffuse abdominal pain and involuntary guarding. Findings on physical examination were consistent with peritonitis and a decision was made by the admitting team to perform an urgent laparotomy which surprisingly showed a stercoral perforation of the colon.

Keywords

• pregnancy
• peritonitis
• narcotics
• stercoral perforation