Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) after normal vaginal delivery

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) can occur as a potential complication following various surgical procedures. Whereas several cases of ACPO are documented in the medical literature following Caesarean section (Csection), only rarely has it been described in association with a normal vaginal delivery. We report a 32-year-old female who developed acute intestinal obstruction immediately following normal vaginal delivery. The patient was rushed in for an emergent exploratory laparotomy which revealed a massively dilated caecum and ascending colon. A right hemi-coloctomy was performed. The diagnosis of ACPO was made once the excised tissue revealed disease free bowel by histology. The patient had an uneventful recovery. Thus in women presenting with bowel obstruction after a normal vaginal delivery, ACPO should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses.