Case Report
Intestinal ischemia due to methamphetamine use: A case report

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.03.061Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Methamphetamine is associated with non-occlusive intestinal ischemia.

  • Splanchnic vasocontriction of mesenteric and colonic vessels is the most likely cause of methamphetamine-induced intestinal ischemia.

  • Surgeons should have a high index of suspicion for intestinal ischemia in methamphetamine users who present with acute abdominal pain.

Abstract

Introduction

Methamphetamine use is a rare cause of intestinal ischemia but is of clinical significance due to its high morbidity and mortality. Knowledge of methamphetamine-induced intestinal ischemia has been limited to few case reports.

Case presentation

We describe the case of a 48-year-old man who presented with ischemic bowel related to methamphetamine use. With concern for intestinal infarction the patient was taken to the operating room for emergency laparotomy, which found a segmental gangrene of small bowel and colon. The patient subsequently underwent right hemicolectomy and small bowel resection for damage control, followed by second-look laparotomy and anastomosis. The patient recovered well from the surgery and was discharged without complications.

Conclusion

This case report alerts surgeons to have a high index of suspicion for intestinal ischemia in methamphetamine users who present with acute abdominal pain.

Keywords

Case report
Methamphetamine
Intestinal ischemia
Intestinal gangrene

Cited by (0)

1

Present address: Department of Surgery, Gold Coast University Hospital, 1 Hospital Boulevard, Southport, Queensland, 4215, Australia.