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International Journal of Emergency Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2011 | Case report

Transvaginal evisceration progressing to peritonitis in the emergency department: a case report

Authors: Luan Lawson, Leigh Patterson, Kelly Carter

Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2011

Abstract

Background

Abdominal pain is a common complaint among emergency department patients, making it essential to identify those with life-threatening etiologies. We report on the rare finding of atraumatic transvaginal bowel evisceration in a patient presenting to the emergency department with the primary complaint of abdominal pain.

Case Description

A 63-year-old female presented ambulatory to the emergency department with abdominal pain and foreign body sensation in her vagina after coughing. Physical exam demonstrated evisceration of her small bowel through her vagina. During her clinical course, she rapidly deteriorated from appearing well without abdominal tenderness to hypotensive with frank peritonitis.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the need to perform a thorough physical exam on all patients with abdominal pain and details the management of vaginal evisceration. This case also highlights the difficulty of appropriate triage for patients with complaints not easily assessed in triage. In an era of emergency department crowding, emergency physicians should reevaluate nursing education on triaging abdominal pain to prevent delays in caring for well-appearing patients who have underlying life-threatening illnesses.

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Title: Transvaginal evisceration progressing to peritonitis in the emergency department: a case report
Authors: Luan Lawson
Leigh Patterson
Kelly Carter
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 1865-1372
Electronic ISSN: 1865-1380
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1865-1380-4-66

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Transvaginal evisceration progressing to peritonitis in the emergency department: a case report

Abstract

Background

Case Description

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Case Description

Conclusion

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