Case Report
Volume: 3 | Issue: 2 | Published: Apr 03, 2019 | Pages: 78 - 82 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/173-1547660710
Refeeding syndrome after small bowel obstruction - a case report
Authors:
Ashley Reed
Article Info
Authors
Ashley Reed
Emergency Depatment, Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff on Sea, Essex, SS0 0RY, United Kingdom
Publication History
Received: January 16, 2019
Revised: February 17, 2019
Accepted: March 03, 2019
Published: April 03, 2019
Abstract
Background: Refeeding Syndrome (RS) is an under-recognised pathophysiological process that can result in arrhythmias, coma and death if not identified and managed appropriately. Case Presentation This case report discusses RS in a 77 year-old female who presented with six days of total anorexia secondary to abdominal pain and vomiting. The patient was identified to have an ischaemic closed loop obstruction of the small bowel in the right femoral hernia with associated proximal small bowel obstruction. Following a small bowel resection, nutrition was reintroduced where on day three the patient developed hypophosphatemia, the hallmark of RS. Conclusion This case highlights the importance of considering RS in patients with a seemingly short duration of starvation due to acute intercurrent illness such as in this case a small bowel obstruction.
Keywords: Refeeding syndrome, hypophosphatemia, starvation, acute illness, small bowel obstruction, emergency medicine, intensive care, green
