Intraluminal migration of a spacer with small bowel obstruction: a case report of rare complication

<p>Abstract</p> <p>The spacer placement is a prevalent procedure to separate the surrounding normal tissues from locally recurrent rectal tumor before the application of radiotherapy. However, complications could occur due to the foreign nature of the spacer. This report describes...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ogino Takayuki, Sekimoto Mitsugu, Nishimura Junichi, Takemasa Ichiro, Mizushima Tsunekazu, Ikeda Masataka, Yamamoto Hirofumi, Doki Yuichiro, Mori Masaki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2012-02-01
Series:World Journal of Surgical Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.wjso.com/content/10/1/30
Description
Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>The spacer placement is a prevalent procedure to separate the surrounding normal tissues from locally recurrent rectal tumor before the application of radiotherapy. However, complications could occur due to the foreign nature of the spacer. This report describes a case of 60-year-old man who had undergone radiotherapy two years earlier for a recurrent rectal tumor and presented with small bowel obstruction. A spacer was used before radiotherapy. Radiological assessment and laparotomy revealed the presence of the spacer inside the small bowel lumen. It is possible that the spacer established contact with the intestine, elicited local inflammatory reaction that facilitated the complete penetration of the intestinal wall without causing any clinical symptoms.</p>
ISSN:1477-7819