Opioid drugs and stercoral perforation of the colon: Case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION: Stercoral perforation of the colon is a rare pathology, which is believed to be caused by an increased intraluminal pressure created by a fecaloma. Opioid induced constipation is a rare and often unsuspected cause of colonic perforation. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the case of a 58-year-old woman, who presented to the emergency department (ED) with severe hypotension, abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. She was found to have a diffusely tender and distended abdomen. Her history was positive for long-term suboxone use and chronic constipation. Abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a bowel perforation, ascites and fecal impaction. Emergency laparotomy revealed extensive stool in the peritoneal cavity as well as hemoperitoneum. There was a fecal bolus with perforation located in the sigmoid colon. On postoperative day (POD) six, a second abdominopelvic CT scan was performed and results revealed the necessity of a second exploratory laparotomy. She had multiple loculated abscesses within the small bowel and other areas, which were opened and washed out. DISCUSSION: Due to the inflating use of drugs in the opioid class, the recognition of this pathology has become increasingly important. The action of the drug on the mu-opioid receptors, any patients taking opioid medications are at risk for constipation progressing to stercoral perforation and should be monitored closely. CONCLUSION: Patients presenting with chronic constipation, fecal impaction on imaging and clinical signs of peritonitis or sepsis, should consider stercoral perforation in their differential diagnosis since early detection is key to reduce mortality rates in these cases.