Blunt abdominal trauma is a rare cause of small bowel obstruction thought to arise from either a sealed perforation of the small bowel or mesenteric injury resulting in adhesions.A 55-year-old gentleman presented with symptoms and signs of small bowel obstruction and a history of blunt abdominal trauma 14 months previously.Abdominal cushcraft ar-10 computed tomography showed a transition zone at the terminal ilium with proximal dilatation indicative of obstruction.
At surgery, he had adhesions involving the terminal ilium with shortening and fibrosis of the supplying mesentery.Patients with a history of blunt abdominal trauma presenting with abdominal symptoms must be investigated guest check pad holder to rule out bowel obstruction, with a low threshold for surgical intervention.