Ileocolic perforation secondary to sodium polystyrene sulfonate in sorbitol use: a case report

Can J Gastroenterol. 2009 Oct;23(10):689-90. doi: 10.1155/2009/986524.

Abstract

Hyperkalemia is a common condition encountered in medical and surgical patients. It can lead to various complications including cardiac arrhythmias. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) in sorbitol is an ion-exchange resin that can be used to treat hyperkalemia. It can be used in enema or in oral form. The present article describes the case of an intensive care unit patient who experienced severe, diffuse, intestinal perforation induced by the use of SPS-sorbitol, requiring multiple laparotomies, followed by a brief review of the relevant literature and recommendations regarding the use of SPS-sorbitol.

L’hypercalcémie est courante en milieu médical et chirurgical. Elle peut provoquer diverses complications, y compris l’arythmie cardiaque. Le sulfonate de polystyrène de sodium (SPS) associé au sorbitol est une résine d’échange ionique qu’on peut utiliser pour traiter l’hypercalcémie. On peut l’administrer sous forme de lavement ou sous forme orale. Le présent article décrit le cas d’une patiente aux soins intensifs qui a souffert d’une grave perforation intestinale diffuse induite par l’utilisation de SPS-sorbitol et a exigé de multiples laparotomies. Suit une brève analyse des publications pertinentes et des recommandations au sujet de l’utilisation de SPS-sorbitol.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cathartics / adverse effects*
  • Cathartics / chemistry
  • Cation Exchange Resins / adverse effects*
  • Colonic Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperkalemia / drug therapy
  • Ileal Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Intestinal Perforation / chemically induced*
  • Necrosis / chemically induced
  • Polystyrenes / adverse effects*
  • Sorbitol / adverse effects*
  • Sorbitol / chemistry
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cathartics
  • Cation Exchange Resins
  • Polystyrenes
  • Sorbitol
  • polystyrene sulfonic acid