Small bowel obstruction in early pregnancy treated by jejunotomy and totalparenteral nutrition

Background: Small bowel obstruction in early pregnancy increases maternal a nd fetal morbidity and mortality and might be diagnosed mistakenly as hyper emesis gravidrum. prompt diagnosis and therapy is essential. Case: A 29-year-old primigravida was admitted at 13 weeks' gestation with s mall bowel obstruction. After jejunotomy, total parenteral nutrition was gi ven until oral intake was resumed completely 1 month after surgery. She was discharged with no complications and the rest of her pregnancy and deliver y were uneventful. Conclusion: Small bowel obstruction in early pregnancy should be diagnosed expeditiously and can be treated with jejunotomy and total parenteral nutri tion. (Obstet Gynecol 2000;96:812-3. (C) 2000 by The American College of Ob stetricians and Gynecologists.).