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World Journal of Emergency Medicine ›› 2014, Vol. 5 ›› Issue (3): 234-236.doi: 10.5847/wjem.j.issn.1920-8642.2014.03.014

• Case Report • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Abdominal cocoon in a young man

Mayank Jayant, Robin Kaushik()   

  1. Department of Surgery, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
  • Received:2013-11-20 Accepted:2014-05-19 Online:2014-09-15 Published:2014-09-15
  • Contact: Robin Kaushik E-mail:robinkaushik@yahoo.com

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Intestinal obstruction remains a common problem encountered in the surgical emergency, and usually occurs secondary to adhesions, obstructed herniae or tubercular strictures. However, at times, rare causes of obstruction can also be encountered.
METHODS: A 24-year-old male patient presented with recurrent episodes of intestinal obstruction that was found to be secondary to an abdominal cocoon on laparotomy.
RESULTS: The patient underwent adhesiolysis of the cocoon, and remains well on a follow-up. Histopathological report of the cocoon wall revealed fibrocollagenic tissues with a mixed inflammatory infiltrate, without any evidence of tuberculosis.
CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal cocoon can be a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in male patients. Adhesiolysis of the cocoon membrane releases the obstruction and gives good results.

Key words: Intestinal obstruction, Cocoon, Idiopathic, Tuberculosis, Emergency surgery, Laparotomy