# An Unusual Presentation of a Small Bowel Injury in an Adult Following a Fall From Height

## TL;DR

A man suffered a small bowel injury after a fall, but it showed as an obstruction, not the usual peritonitis, highlighting the need for careful diagnosis.

## Contribution

This case report highlights an unusual clinical presentation of small bowel injury following blunt trauma.

## Key findings

- The patient presented with small bowel obstruction rather than peritonitis following blunt abdominal trauma.
- Exploratory laparotomy revealed an inflammatory mass requiring jejunal anastomosis.
- The case emphasizes the importance of considering intestinal obstruction as a presentation of bowel injury.

## Abstract

Blunt trauma to the abdomen (BTA) poses a challenge to surgeons in diagnosing the exact intra-abdominal injuries, including hollow viscus injuries. This case report discusses a 40-year-old male patient, a case of BTA following a fall from a height, who did not present any features of peritonitis. Upon evaluation, the patient was found to have a small bowel obstruction in the distal jejunum. The patient was taken for exploratory laparotomy, and the inflammatory mass was removed. A side-to-side distal jejunal anastomosis was performed. This case report teaches us that not all small bowel injuries present as perforation peritonitis; they can also manifest as intestinal obstruction. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to increased morbidity and complications.