Small bowel obstruction secondary to endometriosis in a 30-year-old nulliparous woman managed at a level-5 private hospital in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

[Uncorrected Proof]

Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and is commonly seen in young women. Intestinal obstruction from endometriosis is rare. We present the case of a 30-year-old nulliparous woman who presented with generalized abdominal pain and vomiting. She was diagnosed with ileocaecal and appendiceal obstruction caused by a mass. A right hemicolectomy with ileocolic anastomosis was successfully performed. Histopathological examination confirmed endometrial tissue in the appendix and ileocaecal wall. Endometriosis should be considered as a cause of bowel obstruction in premenopausal women. The management of intestinal endometriosis consists of hormonal therapy in uncomplicated cases and surgery in cases associated with bowel obstruction.