Late presentation of small bowel obstruction following blunt abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND

Motor vehicle accidents have increasingly become a major cause of serious blunt abdominal and chest injury, the pattern and mechanism of which has changed in recent years largely due to seatbelt legislation.

AIM

A case of blunt abdominal and chest trauma is reported which resulted in a mesenteric tear--the small bowel subsequently herniated through and strangulated.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the need for clinical suspicion, serial physical examination and early surgery in the management of these injuries.