Small bowel obstruction caused by vas deferens: a first documented report

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Jun 6:2018:bcr2017221575. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-221575.

Abstract

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is one of the most common causes for an acute surgical admission. Most of the time SBO is a result of common causes such as postoperative adhesions. However, rare and unusual causes of SBO do exist which can be challenging for surgeons. We report a first documented case of SBO caused by a remnant of the vas deferens in a 24-year-old patient with a history of gastroschisis and left orchidectomy. Clinical presentation, investigations, imaging and management of this case are described. To summarise, clinicians should keep an open mind in dealing with patients with intestinal obstruction due to the rare and atypical causes.

Keywords: gastrointestinal surgery; general surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnostic imaging
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Calcinosis
  • Colorectal Surgery / methods*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Obstruction* / diagnostic imaging
  • Intestinal Obstruction* / pathology
  • Intestinal Obstruction* / surgery
  • Male
  • Orchiectomy / adverse effects*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging*
  • Postoperative Complications / pathology
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Adhesions / diagnostic imaging*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vas Deferens* / diagnostic imaging
  • Vas Deferens* / pathology
  • Vas Deferens* / surgery
  • Weight Loss
  • Young Adult